- Speeding taxi loses control
- Reckless driving cited
- 14 passengers perish
It is a sad day for Uganda. Police in Lugazi have confirmed 14 passengers died instantly when a taxi they were travelling in rammed into a lorry along Jinja highway at Sagazi this afternoon.
The Jinja road stretch especially in Mabira is a known death trap for speeding motorists with its sharp bends and dark route.
Reckless driving and over-speeding cited
According to to eyewitness, the driver of taxi registration number UAZ 350U was coming from Eastern Uganda headed to Kampala, lost control and veered off the road colliding with the equally over speeding trailer number UAU 650S.
“The two vehicles were racing. The driver of the taxi in the haste lost control, knocked the lorry a head-on. He was overspeeding” the eyewitness said.
Police arrived at the grisly scene shortly to help, and are still investigating the matter.
Operation Fika Salama
Last year, after a spate of deadly accidents on the Mbarara- Masaka road, Police in conjunction with Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) commissioned an operation -Fika Salama (Arrive safe) on all major highways across the country to curb reckless drivers, unlicensed vehicles and those in dangerous mechanical condition, plus unlicensed drivers. The operation helped bring down the number of road accidents
So far, the operation had registered tremendous results.It was found out that most accidents are caused by reckless driving.
The nation continues to pray for the departed souls as police helps to identify bodies and alert relatives.