At least 63 people were killed in northern Uganda early Tuesday when two buses traveling in opposite directions collided head-on while both attempted to overtake a car, police said.
The crash occurred around 12:15 a.m. local time on the Kampala-Gulu Highway near Kitaleba village in Yumbe District, according to the Uganda Police Force.
One of the buses reportedly swerved across the road in an effort to avoid the car, colliding with the other coach. Both vehicles were carrying passengers, and police said all occupants sustained injuries.
The initial collision triggered a “chain reaction” as multiple vehicles overturned while trying to avoid the crash. Emergency responders found dozens of injured people on the roadside. Authorities warned the death toll could rise due to the severity of some injuries.
The buses involved belonged to two separate companies, Planet Company and Nile Star Coaches. A Toyota vehicle and a Tata lorry were also involved and sustained heavy damage, according to local reports.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to a hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination and identification.
Director of Traffic and Road Safety for the Uganda Police Force, Michael Kananura, urged drivers to exercise caution. “As investigations continue, we strongly urge all motorists to exercise maximum caution on the roads, especially avoiding dangerous and careless overtaking, which remains one of the leading causes of crashes in the country,” he said.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.
