Three people have been confirmed dead and 10 others injured in a road crash involving a Toyota Hiace, registration number UA 836AM, along the Ishaka-Kagamba Road in Bushenyi District.
The crash occurred at about 4:40pm on Monday at Omukatagu as the vehicle was transporting mourners from Kashaka in Mbarara District to Rwererere in Rukungiri District.
The deceased were three adult males whose identities had not been established by press time.
The injured were identified as Kemigisha Apophia, Arineitwe Dalington, Rwakimari Geofrey, Kwikiriza Arthur, Tusiime Markivile, Busingye Georgia, Niwasima Mackline, Twinamatsiko Robert, Agaba Goden and Owamatsiko Brian.
The victims were rushed to Kitagata Hospital and KIU Teaching Hospital for treatment.
SP Michael Kananura, the public relations officer in the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, said preliminary investigations indicate that the crash was caused by excessive speed.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver failed to negotiate a corner due to excessive speed,” Kananura said on Monday night.
He said the driver’s particulars had not yet been established.
Police said the scene was visited and documented by IP Nkwasibwe Alfred and his team, while the wreckage was towed to Ishaka Police Station pending inspection by an Inspector of Vehicles.
Kananura urged motorists to observe speed limits, particularly when approaching corners and other high-risk sections of the road.
“Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react safely and negotiate bends,” he said.
Police said inquiries into the crash are ongoing.
