At least five people have reportedly died, and several others have been injured after a bus belonging to the Mega Bus company collided with a stationary truck (UBF 576B) along the Gulu-Kampala highway on Tuesday morning.

The bus registration number UBQ 350T enroute Kampala from Gulu City, hit the stationary truck at California village, Bweyale town council, Kiryandongo District, along the Gulu-Kampala highway on March 10 at about 2:00 AM.

Police in Kiryandongo district have released the details indicating that the incident also involved a Nile Coach bus (UA 657CM) and that 5 people had been killed while 11 were rushed to Kiryandongo general hospital in critical condition.

The injured, according to a police statement, include Salima Akili, Michael Omony, Lillian Akello, Teddy Agwang, Florence Ajok, Janet Awidi, Vivian Mercy Aloyo, Willbroad Odong, Namanja Florence, Kennedy Mungudit and James Kilama.

The deceased, whose bodies have been taken to Kiryandongo general hospital morgue, were yet to be identified by press time.

The bus reportedly left Gulu bus terminal with 53 passengers on board, according to a source who works with the bus company, who requested anonymity since he is not allowed to speak to the press.

“According to records that we have, the bus left Gulu with 53 passengers on board, but the total was 55, including the driver and the conductor, identified as Julius Omony,” the source said.

“Five people died on the spot, but we cannot tell whether others could have died in the hospital. We are working with the police to develop a complete report of the total number of injured passengers.” He said.

The police came and took some of the injured to the police station, while we also moved other injured passengers to Gulu at St Mary’s Hospital, Lacor, he added.

Police speaks

In an interview, Mr Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesman, told the Daily Monitor that while investigations are ongoing, reckless driving by the bus driver likely caused the accident.

“We are investigating the fatal accident in Bweyale Town Council, a Mega bus driven by an unidentified driver collided with a Sino truck and a Nile Star bus from Arua, killing five and injuring 11.” Mr Hakiza said.

According to him, the driver of the bus is on the run, and the bodies are yet to be identified.

“The driver is on the run, and the probable cause of this accident we attribute to reckless driving. We urge drivers to be cautious and considerate on the road. The bodies we have not identified are at Kiryandongo hospital mortuary.” Mr Hakiza stated.