The fuel tanker is currently held between rocks, as police makes an effort to recover it
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I A fuel tanker plunged into the River Nile near Karuma Bridge in the early hours of Wednesday, April 8, 2026, sparking an intensive search and recovery operation by security agencies in the Albertine North region.
According to preliminary police reports, the accident occurred at approximately 2:50 a.m. when the tanker, which was en route from Kampala to Gulu, lost control before veering off the road and plunging into the fast-flowing waters below.
Police has reported that they are suspecting that the driver and his turn boy might have perished in the accident, although they were non commital about their particulars. Police have since launched a joint rescue effort involving marine units and local security teams to locate the vehicle and any occupants who may have been on board at the time of the حادث.
Solomon Mugisa, the Acting Police Public Relations Officer for Albertine North, confirmed the incident and noted that the operation remains ongoing amid several challenges.
“We received information about a tanker that lost control and plunged into the Nile near Karuma Bridge at around 2:50 a.m. Our teams responded immediately and mounted a search and recovery operation,” Mugisa said. “However, the process has been complicated by the strong currents of the river and the presence of aquatic wildlife, including hippos, in the area.”
Authorities have yet to determine the number of occupants in the vehicle, raising concerns about possible casualties. Efforts to identify the tanker have also been hampered by the absence of a confirmed registration number, making it difficult to trace ownership or establish the identity of the driver.
“As of now, we have not been able to ascertain the registration details of the tanker. This has delayed efforts to contact the owners and determine how many people were on board,” Mugisa added.
The incident has once again drawn attention to safety concerns along the Karuma Bridge stretch, a known accident hotspot. Local authorities report that more than 10 vehicles have plunged into the Nile at this location over the past 15 years, often with tragic consequences.
Transport and safety experts have previously called for enhanced road safety measures in the area, including improved signage, guardrails, and stricter enforcement of speed limits, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles traveling long distances.
By Thursday morning, search efforts were still underway, with officials expressing hope that the vehicle and any occupants would be located despite the difficult conditions.
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