Three dead, dozens injured in Rukungiri bus-taxi collision

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At least three people, including a three-year-old Congolese boy, died on the spot in a collision involving a bus belonging to Perfect Coaches and a passenger taxi in Rukungiri district.

The crash occurred at around 10pm on Saturday, April 12, at Omukiragiro in Buyanja sub-county. The bus, registration number UBN 331G, was travelling from Kihihi in Kanungu district, while the taxi, registration number UBA 341G, was en route from Mbarara to Rukungiri.

Rukungiri district police commander, Apollo Kyangungu, identified the deceased as Liberty Bonance, a three-year-old from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ronald Kakimpa, the taxi conductor, and an unidentified woman.

"The dead were taken to Rwakabengo Health Centre Mortuary for post-mortem, while the injured were rushed to different health facilities in Rukungiri Town," Kyangungu said.

He added that preliminary investigations suggest the taxi may have been driving without headlights, which could have contributed to the collision.

The injured include four Uganda People's Defence Forces officers Capt. Bright Musinguzi, S/Sgt Edgar Kwesigwa RA/141725, L/Cpl. Alex Tukwasibwe RA/161230, and Pte Francis Okello RA/213765.

Other injured people include Pacific Claude, a Congolese national; Blair Abenomugisha; Bernard Nyabanawe, 62; Annah Tumwebaze; James Barisimwaki, 44; Jackline Amumpire; Florence Kiconco; Oliver Komushana; Oscar Tayebwa, Hassan Kakuru, Frank Baryakira, 63; Johnbosco Atwongirwe; Andrew Mwesigwa, the taxi driver; and Godfrey Tukahirwa, the bus conductor.

Following the collision, the bus overturned onto the driver’s side in the middle of the road, while the taxi spun and ended up facing the opposite direction. Of the three confirmed fatalities, two were from the taxi and one from the bus.

All injured victims were admitted to Nyakibale Hospital and other health facilities in Rukungiri for medical attention.