A horrific road accident on the Kampala-Gulu Highway in Uganda tragically claimed the lives of at least 63 people and left several others with serious injuries. The devastating multi-vehicle crash occurred early Wednesday morning, specifically at approximately 12:15 AM on October 22, 2025. The site of the accident was identified as Kitaleba Village, situated near Asili Farm in Kiryandongo District.

The incident involved four vehicles: two Isuzu buses, one from Nile Star Coaches (registration UBF 614X) and another from Planet Company (registration UAM 045V), alongside a Toyota Surf (CGO 5132AB 07) and a Tata lorry (UBK 647C). According to preliminary investigations led by SP Michael Kananura, spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, the collision was initiated by dangerous overtaking maneuvers. The Nile Star bus, en route from Kampala to Gulu, attempted to overtake the Tata lorry. Simultaneously, the Planet Company bus, travelling from the opposite direction, was also trying to overtake the Toyota Surf. This confluence of risky actions resulted in a catastrophic head-on collision between the two buses.

The spokesperson further explained that one of the drivers swerved in an attempt to avert a direct impact, but this led to a combination of head-on and side collisions, triggering a chain reaction. This caused other vehicles to lose control and overturn multiple times. The immediate aftermath was severe, with 63 individuals pronounced dead at the scene. Numerous injured passengers were promptly rushed to Kiryandongo Hospital and other nearby medical facilities for urgent care. The bodies of the deceased were transported to the hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations and identification procedures.

Police have described this event as one of the worst traffic tragedies witnessed in recent years, issuing a stern warning to motorists about the perils of dangerous overtaking. This practice remains a leading cause of fatal road crashes across Uganda. As investigations into the precise circumstances of the accident continue, authorities strongly urged all motorists to exercise the utmost caution on the roads, specifically emphasizing the importance of avoiding dangerous and careless overtaking to prevent future tragedies.