Parliament has directed the Minister for Transport and works Gen . Katumba Wamala to investigate circumstances under which over 20 people died in an accident involving the Link Bus.
The viscous accident that occurred at Sebitoli along Fort Portal-Kampala Highway claimed lives of 20 people, including children and left several others nursing grave injuries.
The bus registration number UBA 003S, that was headed to Kampala from Bundibugyo swerved off the high way into tea plantation before overturning several times, in-turn shattering the windows and dismantling it completely.
Eyewitnesses say one of the bus tyres burst, causing the driver to loose control. They claim the driver struggled to stop the bus but ended up hitting the guard rails andbefore overturning several times.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Traffic Police Spokesperson Faridah Nampiima confirmed that thirteen adults and seven minors perished on spot. The identities of the dead are yet to be established.
Now following the sad development, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa has tasked the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala to establish the cause of accident, besides devising means to reduce road carnage in the country.
During plenary, the Members of Parliament observed a moment of silence in memory of the accident victims.
Meanwhile another accident occurred along Mbale-Tirinyi Road, at Namatala Bridge at Nasenyi sub county in Budaka district. This involved two taxis registration numbers UBH 437K and UBJ 676W and a Toyota Raum Registration Number UAT 995A.
Immaculate Alaso, the Bukedi North Police Spokesperson has since identified some of the deceased as Fatima Namarome and Kurusum Nambafu, both residents of Mbale City, Isaka Kafero, David Mulabi and another male adult.
According to Alaso, three other accident victims are still battling for their lives at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. The drivers of both taxis are still on the run. The scene of the accident is a black spot, according to the residents.
Traffic and road safety statistics for the past three years , 750 Ugandans die on roads between 6pm and 8pm than at any other time.
