Kiryandongo General Hospital is still holding one unclaimed body following last week’s devastating road crash that left 46 people dead and 67 others injured along the Kampala-Gulu highway.
The accident occurred early Wednesday morning in Kitaleba village, near Asilli’s Farm in Kiryandongo Sub-county, when two passenger buses and two other vehicles were involved in a chain collision.
According to police, the crash involved four vehicles: a Nile Star Coaches Isuzu bus (UBF 614X) travelling from Kampala to Arua, a Planet Company Isuzu bus (UAM 045V) heading in the opposite direction, a Tata lorry (UBK 647C), and a Toyota Surf (CGO 5132AB 07).
Preliminary findings show that the Nile Star bus attempted to overtake the Tata lorry at the same time the Planet bus was overtaking the Toyota Surf coming from the opposite direction. Both buses collided head-on, causing a chain reaction that left the other vehicles overturned and crashing along the roadside.
Dr Godfrey Kisembo, the Medical Superintendent at Kiryandongo General Hospital, on Tuesday afternoon said that by Monday evening, 45 bodies had been claimed and identified by their relatives. Only one male victim remains unclaimed in the hospital’s mortuary.
“The relatives may be far away and unaware that their loved one was involved in the crash,” Dr Kisembo explained. “If no one claims the body, we shall liaise with the town council authorities to have it buried.” He added that should the family come forward after the burial, they would have to obtain a court order to exhume the remains.
Dr Kisembo revealed that most of the fatalities resulted from severe head injuries sustained during the impact.
Among those confirmed dead are Stella Abuga (21, Koboko), Gabriel Dralega Achema (Yumbe), Jimmy Adora (57, Yumbe), Augustine Angwadia (52, Arua), Sulanze Akiiki (49, Gulu), Godfrey Alianzi (26, Arua), Sarah Amooti (28, Gulu), Grace Andile (Yumbe), Conslate Apio (42, Gulu), Immaculate Baku (24, Gulu), William Byarugaba (49, Kampala), Rose and Draku Arama (60, Kyebando, Kampala), and Elyeza Kadoko (29, Luka).
Others include Fred Lubangakene (25, Pabo), Jamita Magadu (28, Adjumani), Jonan Muwanguzi (28, Adjumani), Rwothumiyo Benjamin (39, Nebbi), Vincent Sengendo, William Senono (31, Kayunga), Sandra Taita (21, Adjumani), Meddy Tumuhimbise (51, Bwaise, Kampala), and Moses Wandera (40, Kampala), among others.
Some of the survivors admitted and later discharged from Kiryandongo Hospital include Edward Adii, Patrick Akech, Alson Tumwebaze, Akwo Yopanga, Sarah Amanio, Joel Amanzo, Brian Anyai, Florence Atyelo, Rashid Hassano, Mugisha Bahemuka, Scovia Bodo, and Joshua Kato, among others.
The tragic crash has once again reignited concerns over road safety and reckless driving on Uganda’s major highways. Authorities have urged public transport operators to adhere to speed limits and exercise greater caution to prevent similar disasters.
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