GULU – At least 16 people have been confirmed dead following a nasty road accident that occurred on Thursday night at Kamdini in Oyam district.
The accident involved a Roblyn Bus Reg. No. UAT 259P – travelling from Kampala to Kitgum, through Gulu, and a trailer-Reg. No. UAZ 381A/UBD 381C, according to police.
According to Stephen Apunyo – an eye witness, the bus that was over speeding – rammed into a stationary trailer that was loading dry cassava from another vehicle along the roadside, at around midnight – at Adebe cell, Western Ward in Kamdini Town Council – a kilometre away from Corner Kamdini checkpoint.
Patrick Jimmy Okema – the North Kyoga Police Spokesperson confirmed the incident – saying the cause of the accident was yet to be established.
“Preliminary findings indicate wrong parking by the trailer driver with no warning signs. It is a very unfortunate incident and we call for calmness from members of the public. Our condolences to the bereaved families,” said Okema.
A number of survivors were rushed to Pope John the XXIII Hospital Aber in Oyam and St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu City – whereas bodies of the dead were conveyed to Anyeke Health IV in Oyam pending post-mortem.
Initially, 26 survivors including a four-year-old whose mother perished in the accident had been admitted to the Hospital, but five of these have since passed on – bringing the total number of deaths to 18, according to Okema.
Those in the hospital have been identified as Mary Akello, Rose Auma, Francis Oyo, Caroline Akanya, Nancy Alimo, Morris Oluka, Denis Acele, David Okwera, Patrick Okecha, Benson Anywar, Flavia Akello, Albert Odur, Joseph Acaye, Kevin Angwec, Christine Laker, Proscovia Aceng and Rehema Sarah Nafuna.
Joseph Acaye, 30, a victim who was travelling with his friend on the same bus and sustained a deep cut on his left leg said the bus driver couldn’t dodge truck, which he saw too. Acaye said his friend who survived without a scratch helped him to board the ambulance to the hospital.
The hospital’s Human Resources Officer, Eugene Oscar Odur attributed the deaths to a lack of blood – saying the hospital was out of blood by the time the victims were brought in. He added that the emergency unit was overwhelmed, prompting them to transfer the patients to the surgical and medical wards.
The facility now has nine patients in the emergency unit, seven in the surgical ward and four in the medical ward. Odur, however, hastened to add that two of the victims are in critical condition and would be transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Meanwhile, One person died and fifteen others were injured in an accident along the Pader-Agago road.
The accident involved a bus Reg. No. UAQ 080T belonging to Real Coach Bus Company that occurred on Thursday at Amor village in Luna Parish, Pader Town Council.
David Ongom Mudong – the Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson said that the bus from Kampala heading to Agago via Pader Town veered off the road – overturning several times.
The deceased have been identified as six-year-old Christopher Olum.
The injured include; Deo Tuhaise, Richard Wakholi, John Ssekyewa, and Sgt. Nason Okello of Achol Pii, Patrick Okot, Kevin Nassanga, Alfred Okello, Charles Okidi, and Joseph Ongom.
Six other victims were reportedly rushed to different hospitals for medical attention and their identities could not be established.
Mudong revealed that the driver had reportedly fled the accident scene and the cause of the accident was yet to be established.
Relatedly, an illegally set-up bush fire left one person dead while several acres of crops, household property – including grass-thatched huts burnt in Palokere Parish, Opara sub county in Amuru district.
The deceased identified as Thomas Ouma is suspected to have been burnt to death on Tuesday after reportedly running out of his senses as a result of taking alcohol. His charred body was discovered Wednesday in a burnt field.
Kenneth Okot – the Atiak Town Council chairperson said that cases of wildfires were rampant with the onset of the dry season.
He said about one and a half acres of farmland with crops such as pigeon peas, green grams, and Sorghum was razed down by a wildfire set by unknown people in Awer Village in Atiak Town Council early this week.
“The rampant bushfires are already burning crops in the area and the practice is very dangerous for food security,” said Okot.
Bush burning is illegal under laws governing Uganda. Under the Prohibition of the Burning of Grass Act chapter 33 – any person who carries out the burning of grass commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred currency point or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or to both.
