KAMPALA – Two people were Thursday knocked dead; as three others were rushed to hospital with multiple injuries after a police truck lost control and rammed into several vehicles and motorcycles near the Nsambya Sharing – Kampala.
Eyewitnesses said the police truck –a Hino, registration number UP 5638 could have developed mechanical problem, thereby failing to brake. It hit three motor vehicles, registration numbers UAX 851J, UBD 944J, UAS 427S and three motorcycles, which were carrying passengers.
Other witnesses said the truck driver was under the influence of alcohol. “Can you imagine all the way he might have known that vehicle had developed mechanical conditions but didn’t alert other road users by way of hooting,” said Rogers Kabogoza, one of the people who participated in the rescue of survivors; concluding that the two people who died on spot were bodaboda passengers.
Traffic police officers at the scene of accident, summarily said the accident had been caused by reckless driving.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire identified the deceased as Abdul Rakim and Bakulumpagi, confirming that the truck driver was driving under the influence of alcohol.
At least 3,880 people died in road accidents in 2019 while 9,635 survived with serious injuries. Another 1,175 got minor injuries, according to Traffic police records. The leading causes of traffic deaths and injuries include over speeding, drunken driving, distractions to drivers, and non-adherence to traffic lanes.