The late Julius Kitone
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Uganda’s media fraternity and the nation at large are mourning the death of Julius Kitone, a journalist with NBS Television, who perished in a horrific road crash that claimed eight lives on Friday evening along the Mbarara–Lyantonde highway in western Uganda.
The accident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. at Kibega I village in Kiruhura District when a passenger taxi collided head-on with a trailer. Police said the taxi, a white Toyota Hiace travelling from Mbarara towards Lyantonde, attempted to overtake at a sharp corner before crashing into an oncoming Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer.
Rwizi Region police spokesperson SP Samson Kasasira confirmed the fatalities, saying all the victims were occupants of the taxi, while one person sustained critical injuries and was rushed to hospital.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the driver of the taxi overtook from a corner and ended up colliding with the trailer that was coming from the opposite direction in its rightful lane,” Kasasira said, adding that investigations into the crash were ongoing.
Among the deceased was Julius Kitone, a respected broadcast journalist known for his dedication, professionalism, and passion for storytelling. His sudden death has shocked colleagues, friends, and viewers, who have flooded social media with heartfelt tributes, describing him as humble, hardworking, and committed to public service journalism.
At the scene, rescue teams battled to retrieve bodies trapped in the wreckage, while police worked to identify all the victims.
The tragedy once again highlights the alarming rate of road accidents in Uganda. Police statistics indicate that more than 4,500 people die annually on the country’s roads, largely due to reckless driving, speeding, and dangerous overtaking.
As the nation mourns Julius Kitone and the other victims, renewed calls are being made for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and greater driver discipline to prevent further loss of life on Uganda’s highways.
