In the early hours of Wednesday, 22 October 2025, at about 12:15 a.m. EAT, a catastrophic road accident occurred along the Kampala–Gulu Highway, at Kitaleeba Village near Asili Farm in Kiryandongo District, Uganda. Two buses — one operated by Nile Star Coaches and the other by Planet Company — collided head-on, involving also a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Tata lorry. What began as a routine overnight journey turned into a scene of devastation, leaving a toll of shattered lives and a grieving community.
Updated Toll & Response
Authorities have revised the death toll down to 46 people, following a review of the scene and victims. Earlier in the day, the police had reported 63 fatalities, but later clarified that several persons found unconscious had been mistakenly counted among the dead.
Several others continue to receive treatment in hospital for serious injuries.
In a statement, the Uganda Police Force emphasised that investigations are ongoing and urged road users to avoid dangerous overtaking, which remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes in Uganda.
How the Collision Happened
Preliminary police investigations indicate the crash occurred when the Planet Company bus, travelling from Adjumani District toward Kampala, attempted to overtake the Toyota Land Cruiser and collided with the Nile Star bus heading in the opposite direction. The impact triggered a chain reaction: the Tata lorry and the Land Cruiser also overturned several times, adding to the casualties and chaos.
The head-on meeting of two buses during overtaking manoeuvres is highlighted as the key cause by traffic authorities.
Road Safety Context
The Kampala–Gulu Highway is a vital link between the capital and northern Uganda, but it is also frequently cited as a high-risk corridor due to heavy traffic, large vehicles, narrow lanes, and limited lighting at night. Experts say these factors, combined with risky driving behaviour, make for a dangerous mix.
According to the police’s 2024 annual crime/traffic report, more than 5,100 people died in road traffic crashes in Uganda that year — up from about 4,800 in 2023. Reckless overtaking and speeding accounted for nearly 44.5 % of all crashes documented in 2024.
Rescue and Recovery
Rescue crews and the Uganda Red Cross Society arrived at the scene in the pre-dawn hours. A spokesperson for the Red Cross described the scale of suffering as “so big” and said that the lack of bystanders at night made initial rescue efforts particularly difficult.
Victims were transported to Kiryandongo General Hospital where identification and post-mortem processes are underway. The police said that the wreckage remains at the crash site, pending towing and full investigation.
Government Reaction & Calls for Reform
Yoweri Museveni expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and directed that each bereaved family receive 5 million Ugandan Shillings, and each injured person 1 million, as immediate assistance.
But beyond compensation, road-safety campaigners say this and past tragedies underline the urgent need for sustained investment in infrastructure, stricter law enforcement, better driver training, and improvement of high-risk roads — rather than reactive responses alone.
What Happens Next
Investigators from traffic and criminal police units are expected to examine vehicle logs, driver records (including rest status, licencing, and speed/behaviour at the time), and road-condition evidence (markings, lighting, signage). Authorities will also assess whether heavy vehicles were overloaded or whether driving at night was suitably regulated.
Families of the victims are gathering at the hospital and community centres in Kiryandongo to confirm identities; memorial arrangements are being planned locally. Meanwhile, safety advocates are continuing to push for the widening and renovation of the Kampala–Gulu Highway, plus improved night-time enforcement patrols.
As daylight breaks on the highway, the wreckage remains a stark reminder of lives lost and a system under strain. For now, the tragedy stands as both a mournful memorial and a blazing call to action.
