Police in Kanungu District are investigating a fatal road accident that claimed the life of a truck driver and left his turnman injured after a vehicle carrying iron ore overturned into a river.
The accident occurred on Wednesday at around 5:00 p.m. at Munyaga Bridge along the Bwindi–Butogota road in Kanungu District.
According to police, the crash involved a FAW Sino truck registration number UBR 167B, with a white head and green carrier, which was transporting iron ore from the Bwindi side heading towards Kampala.
The driver, identified as Philip Mukunya, a resident of Maruka Adra Industrial Division in Mbale City, died on the spot after reportedly losing control of the vehicle as he approached Munyaga Bridge. The truck overturned and plunged into River Munyaga.
The turnman, Richard Mugabe, 39, also a resident of Maruka Adra Industrial Division in Mbale City, sustained injuries in the crash. He was rushed to Doctors Case Clinic in Kihihi Town for medical attention.
Officers led by the Kanungu District Traffic Officer, ASP Herbert Nsabiyera, visited and documented the scene as part of ongoing investigations.
Police said the driver’s body was taken to Bwindi Community Hospital for a postmortem examination.
Kigezi Region Police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate said preliminary findings suggest that brake failure may have caused the accident, though investigations are still ongoing.
