The Nile Star Coaches one the bussed that was blamed for the accident
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Uganda Police has revised downwards the number of people who perished in the Gulu Highway accident to 46, down from 63. This arose when several people who has been confirmed dead were just unconscious.
President Yoweri Museveni has also expressed deep sorrow over the tragic road accident that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Kitaleba Village, near Asili Farm, along the Kampala–Gulu Highway. The accident claimed up to 63 lives and left several others injured.
In a statement, the President extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He announced that he has directed the State House Comptroller to provide Shs 5 million to each family that lost a loved one, and Shs 1 million to each of the injured.
“I have learnt with sadness about the tragic accident that occurred this morning along the Kampala–Gulu highway, claiming many lives. I extend my condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a quick recovery,” said Museveni said.
He urged all road users to exercise utmost caution to prevent such tragedies. “May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace,” he noted.
President Museveni’s announcement comes as part of the government’s immediate response to provide relief and support to the victims’ families, emphasizing both compassion and road safety awareness.
How it happened
The fatal crash occurred on Wednesday, October 22 2025, at around 12:15 am at Kitaleba village near Asili farm, along the Kampala – Gulu highway.
According to Police, the accident involved four vehicles: UBF 614X, a Isuzu bus belonging to Nile Star Coaches, CGO 5132AB 07, a Toyota Surf, UBK 647C, a Tata Lorry and UAM 045V, a Isuzu bas belonging to Planet Bus Company.
Initial investigations conducted by the officers of Uganda Police revealed that the driver of the Isuzu bus , registration number UBF 614X, travelling from Kampala towards Gulu, attempted to overtake the fatal lorry – UBK 647C at Kitaleba.
At the same time, the Isuzu bus driver – UAM 045 V, traveling from the opposite direction was also attempting to overtake the Toyota Surf – CGO 5132AM 07, leading to a head on collision of the two vehicles.
The fatal crash, which involved two buses, a lorry, and a Toyota Surf, occurred when both buses attempted to overtake other vehicles from opposite directions, resulting in a head-on collision and a chain reaction.
Police confirmed that 63 people died while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to Kiryandongo Hospital and nearby facilities.
SP Michael Kananura, the Police spokesperson, described the scene as catastrophic and reiterated the importance of caution on the roads, particularly avoiding reckless overtaking.
According to the Uganda Police, in 2024, the country recorded 5,144 road fatalities, a rise from 4,806 in 2023 and 4,534 in 2022. These fatalities were attributed to speeding, careless overtaking, and poor road infrastructure.
These figures are part of a worrying upward trend in road-related deaths and injuries in recent years.
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