One Dead, Six Critically Injured in Bwaise Taxi-Truck Crash

At least one person has died, and six others are critically injured following a road crash involving a commuter taxi and a Coca-Cola truck at Bwaise Roundabout in Kampala. 

The accident occurred this afternoon when a taxi, registration number UAU 613C, travelling from Namboole towards Bwaise Taxi Park, reportedly lost control and rammed into the rear of a Coca-Cola truck, registration number UBL 367Z, which was carrying water.

The worn-out taxi was reportedly carrying about 10 passengers. One unidentified male occupant died at the scene, while six others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital. The taxi driver reportedly fled the scene following the crash.

In the absence of an ambulance, boda boda riders and other motorists took charge of the rescue operation, pulling trapped passengers from the wreckage and flagging down private vehicles to transport the injured to hospital. Traffic police officers at the scene reportedly waited for a patrol vehicle from Kawempe Police Station, which was later used to transport some of the victims.

Jonathan Musa, a boda boda rider at Hotel La Grande who participated in the rescue operation, said responders found one passenger already dead, while several others were in critical condition. He said six other occupants were also in bad shape, adding that the taxi driver had fled.

Another responder, Bashir Waswa, said the taxi driver appeared to have lost control while attempting to avoid the truck, eventually crashing into its rear.