MASAKA: 12 Tanzanians killed in crash on deadly highway

MASAKA: 14 killed in crash on deadly Ugandan highway

Kampala, Uganda | AFP |  Fourteen people were killed when a truck ploughed into a bus carrying a group returning from a wedding on Uganda’s deadliest road, police said Monday.

“The driver of the truck lost control after a tyre burst and smashed into a bus, killing 14 people and leaving 17 others seriously injured,” police spokesman Phillip Mukasa told AFP.

“Of those who died, 12 have been identified as Tanzanian nationals who were returning to Tanzania after attending a wedding ceremony in Kampala.”

The accident took place Sunday night on the notorious 130-kilometre (80-mile) Kampala-Masaka road, a gateway to Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Last year the government launched operation “Fika Salama” — Swahili for “Arrive safely” — in a bid to reduce fatalities on what has been dubbed the world’s deadliest highway.

The accidents are attributed to poor roadwork, vehicles in bad condition, dangerous driving and even witchcraft.

According to Uganda police, 382 people have died in accidents on the road since May last year.

In July,  five people were killed on the spot after a Fuso truck rammed into a commuter taxi along Masaka-Kampala highway.

Earlier in January, fourteen people were killed when a taxi swerved to avoid a cow and crashed into two large vehicles on what is known as Uganda’s deadliest road.

Eight people died on the spot including a journalist, while six others died later in hospital, regional traffic police chief, Scovia Birungi told AFP.

Nine other other people had serious injuries, while the cow also died.