UCU student killed
A Uganda Christian University (UCU) graduate and his father have been confirmed dead in an accident along Mbale-Tirinyi Road.
The deceased are Alex Gidudu Khauka, 24, a student of Information Technology and Siraji Gidudu, 50, the father. Two others sustained injuries in the same accident, including Barbara Mukoya, 25 and Ketty Wegosasa, 40.
The accident happened on Friday morning at 5:00 am at Kamonkoli village while Khaukha was travelling with his family to the University’s main campus to attend his graduation ceremony.
The Traffic Police spokesperson Faridah Nampiima says the accident happened when their Toyota Noah registration number UAY 740 k rammed into a stationary Sino truck stationary, registration number UAS 427P, which had broken down on the road.
UCU student killed
Khauka was killed on the spot while his father Siraji died upon arrival at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.
The deceased are both locals of Nasasa village, Busambe Parish, Bumbobi Subcounty in Mbale district.
Nampiima adds that two others, who sustained injuries, are currently admitted at the Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.
The two bodies of the deceased have also been conveyed to Mbale city mortuary pending postmortem examination.
Traffic police reports indicate that the last three months have witnessed a spike in road fatalities with 12 incidents reported weekly.
The most recent report indicates that 12 people die from motor vehicle and motorcycle carnage daily and 87 weekly. Statistics for June and the first week of July show that 435 people perished in crashes while over 1,300 were left nursing severe injuries.
Police attribute the crashes to speeding, reckless driving, distractions, drunk driving, and vehicles in dangerous mechanical conditions.
Nampiima says most crashes usually happen a few metres from police checkpoints as people drive slowly to please police officers.
