Lwengo District, Uganda — Seven people, including four children, were killed early morning in a head-on crash on the Masaka-Mbarara Highway, highlighting growing road dangers during the festive season.
The accident happened at dawn in Lwengo District when a Toyota Fielder tried to overtake another vehicle, police said. The car collided with an oncoming truck, killing all occupants instantly.
Police identified the driver as Ivan Burahi. He was traveling with his wife, Ainembabazi Brenda, and their four children. Three adults and four children died at the scene.
Witnesses described a grim scene, with wreckage scattered across the highway. The Masaka-Mbarara route is known for deadly crashes linked to reckless overtaking, poor visibility and driver fatigue.
Authorities said many head-on collisions occur during low-light hours, especially when drivers attempt risky overtakes. Uganda recorded more than 5,000 road deaths in 2024, a 6.1% increase from the previous year, according to official data.
Traffic police have repeatedly warned of increased risks during holidays, when many people travel from cities to rural areas. The Masaka-Mbarara Highway is among several accident-prone routes flagged by media and safety agencies. Others include Chekwatit in Kapchorwa District, where eight people died in a crash in May.
Police records show road accidents rising steadily from about 17,400 crashes in 2021 to an estimated 25,000 in 2024. December remains one of the deadliest months, driven by speeding, drunk driving and careless driving.
The Lwengo crash was one of several incidents reported over Christmas. On Dec. 24, an Express Kampala bus traveling from Juba crashed along the Nimule Highway. No deaths were reported, despite heavy damage to the bus.
Later that day, another crash at Busega Roundabout in Kampala involved a truck and a Toyota Noah, injuring several people and disrupting traffic.
The region also recorded deadly crashes. In Kenya, transport authorities reported 16 accidents on Dec. 23 that killed 25 people, mostly pedestrians and passengers.
In response, Ugandan authorities launched Operation “Arrive Alive” with the Uganda Professional Drivers’ Network. The campaign targets major highways, focusing on drunk driving, speeding, overloading and vehicle defects. The Ministry of Works and Transport has also intensified road safety awareness campaigns.
As families mourn the Lwengo victims, road safety advocates urged caution. “Arriving late is better than not arriving at all,” said the Uganda Road Accident Reduction Network Organization.
Officials are calling on drivers and passengers to take shared responsibility to prevent more festive-season tragedies.
