KIRYANDONGO.
By Joseph Kiggundu
Police have launched a search and recovery operation after a fuel tanker fell into the River Nile near Karuma Bridge .
The Thursday morning incident occurred at about 2:50am when the tanker, which was travelling from Kampala heading to Gulu, reportedly lost control and veered off the highway before falling into the river.
According to Solomon Mugisa ,the acting Police Public Relations Officer for Albertine North , the vehicle’s registration number has not yet been identified, complicating efforts to trace its ownership and establish details about the driver.
“We are investigating the cause of the accident, but initial reports show that the driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to the crash,” Mr Mugisa said.
Police officers who responded to the scene confirmed that the tanker was later spotted floating on the River Nile about four kilometres from the point where it is believed to have entered the water.
However, efforts to retrieve the vehicle have so far been unsuccessful.
Mr Mugisa said the tanker is currently stuck between rocks in the river, making recovery difficult without specialised marine equipment.
“The vehicle was seen floating about four kilometres from Karuma Bridge, but it is now blocked by rocks. We have not yet recovered it, and no bodies have been found so far,” he said.
He added that police have engaged marine specialists to support the recovery operation once the necessary equipment arrives.
“At the moment, we are coordinating with the marine unit to ensure that the tanker is safely retrieved from the river,” he noted.
The incident has raised renewed concern over safety along the Kampala–Gulu Highway, a busy transport corridor linking northern and central Uganda.
Karuma is known for its sharp bends and steep sections, particularly near the bridge and falls, which require motorists to exercise extra caution.
Mr Mukasa Muhammad, the LC1 chairperson who arrived at the scene, expressed concern over the rising number of accidents involving heavy trucks and fuel tankers along the stretch.
He attributed most crashes to “driver fatigue, speeding, and failure to observe road safety guidelines.”
Police used the incident to remind motorists, especially long-distance drivers, to adhere to safety regulations to avoid similar tragedies.
Mr Mugisa urged drivers to take regular breaks during long journeys, noting that fatigue remains a leading cause of road crashes.
“As police, we advise drivers to rest after every 100 kilometres of driving. This helps to reduce fatigue and improve concentration on the road,” he said.
He also called on transport companies to ensure drivers are well-rested and vehicles are regularly serviced before long trips.
By press time, police had not yet confirmed whether the driver or any other occupants inside the tanker were surviving, leaving authorities and the public awaiting clarity as the search operation continues.