Four Dead, in Gateway Bus-Fuel Tanker Collision

Four people have been killed and 15 others injured following a head-on collision between a Gateway bus and a Kenyan fuel tanker along the Soroti-Mbale Highway in Bukedea District this morning.

The crash that occurred at 4:00 a.m. in Acuma Otialuk involved a Scania bus registration number UA 359AN,  belonging to Gateway Bus Company, and a Kenyan fuel truck registration numbers KDW 154U/ZJ 2266.

Obadia Sewanyana, the South Kyoga Regional Traffic Officer, says that preliminary findings indicate that the fuel tanker, which was travelling from Soroti towards Mbale, crossed into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the bus, which was heading towards Soroti.

He confirmed that four people died at the scene, while 15 injured victims were rushed to Bukedea Teaching Hospital for treatment. The deceased include both drivers, a passenger aboard the bus and the fuel tanker’s co-driver, all of whom died on the spot.

Sewanyana said police were still working to establish the identities of the deceased, adding that a comprehensive investigation had been launched to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the crash. He also urged motorists, particularly those undertaking long-distance journeys, to observe rest breaks and avoid driving while fatigued.

The latest crash comes barely a day after another accident involving a Kenyan truck and a South Sudanese vehicle was reported along the same highway. Sewanyana attributed the recurring crashes to human error, calling for greater responsibility and discipline among motorists to prevent further loss of life.