BLOOD ON KARUMA ROAD! 7 Dead, 16 Fight For Life After Reckless Nile Star Bus Driver’s Deadly Overtake
Seven people have been confirmed dead and at least 16 others left critically injured after a horrifying night crash along the notorious Karuma–Packwach highway in Nwoya District, in yet another chilling reminder of the dangers lurking on Uganda’s roads.
The deadly collision happened in the early hours of Monday, May 4, 2026, at around 1:00am at Lapok Mor cell in Purongo Town Council. The accident involved a Nile Star Coaches bus, registration number UBP 736U, and a Benz Actros trailer, registration SSD 040A/SSD 498C, in a violent head-on smash that left wreckage strewn across the road and lives shattered in seconds.
According to Michael Kananura, the Public Relations Officer for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, preliminary investigations point to a reckless and fatal decision by the bus driver, identified as Abugo Mandella Kadin, who is now in police custody.
The ill-fated bus was travelling from Arua to Kampala when the driver allegedly attempted to overtake two vehicles ahead of him in the dead of night. In a split-second miscalculation, the bus rammed head-on into an oncoming trailer, triggering a catastrophic impact that crushed the front of the bus and trapped passengers inside.
The scene quickly turned into one of horror and desperation. Four passengers died instantly on impact, their lives cut short in the darkness. Sixteen others, many with severe injuries, were rushed to Anak Hospital as rescuers battled to pull survivors from the twisted metal. Tragically, three more victims later succumbed to their injuries, pushing the death toll to seven.
Even more disturbing are eyewitness accounts emerging from survivors, painting a picture of a journey filled with fear long before the crash. Passengers reportedly raised alarm over the driver’s reckless speeding and dangerous maneuvers, but their pleas were allegedly ignored. Instead of taking action, the conductor is said to have dismissed their concerns, allowing the risky driving to continue unchecked—until it ended in disaster.
The Karuma-Packwach highway has long been flagged as a high-risk route, with frequent night travel, speeding, and dangerous overtaking contributing to repeated fatal accidents. Monday’s tragedy now adds to the growing list of deadly crashes that continue to claim lives on Uganda’s roads.
Police have since launched full investigations into the incident, with authorities warning drivers against reckless behavior, especially during night travel.
As the country reels from yet another road carnage, questions are once again being raised about driver discipline, enforcement of traffic regulations, and the responsibility of transport companies to ensure passenger safety before more lives are lost.
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