Share

48 including 16 children killed as Uganda bus rams into tractor and truck

At least 48 people including 16 children died in northern Uganda when a bus hit a tractor driving with no lights at night and then a truck, the Red Cross said Saturday.

"Evacuation teams are working tirelessly to rescue the injured", said Ugandan police spokeswoman Emilian Kayima, adding that all three drivers had died.

"The death toll is now at 48 including 16 children," Red Cross spokesperson Irene Nakasiita told AFP.

The accident happened on Friday night in Kiryandongo, about 220km north of the capital Kampala.

The bus collided first with the tractor before hitting a truck transporting beer.

Local media said the death toll exceeded 30.

Uganda has one of the worst records for road safety, due to the poor condition of vehicles and roads as well as dangerous driving.

More than 9 500 people died in a road accident in the country between 2015 and 2017, according to figures from the transport ministry, with the situation worsening each year.

* Sign up to News24's top Africa news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO THE HELLO AFRICA NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW News24 Africa on Twitter and Facebook

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
64% - 337 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
36% - 190 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.08
+0.7%
Rand - Pound
23.80
+0.6%
Rand - Euro
20.39
+0.8%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
+0.9%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.8%
Platinum
909.50
-0.3%
Palladium
984.00
-2.1%
Gold
2,316.50
+0.0%
Silver
27.14
-0.1%
Brent Crude
88.02
-0.5%
Top 40
68,092
-0.7%
All Share
74,039
-0.6%
Resource 10
61,188
+1.2%
Industrial 25
102,423
-1.5%
Financial 15
15,787
-0.3%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE