Police have arrested the driver of a Sino truck that lost control and ploughed into a commuter taxi and two other vehicles at Nkoowe along the Kampala-Hoima Highway early this week. The accident killed two people and injured 9 others.
The suspect, identified as Peter Wasswa, 32, had been on the run following the September 8, 2026 crash but was later arrested and detained at Kakiri Police Station, according to Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura. Wasswa is expected to be arraigned in court and charged with causing death through reckless driving.
The crash occurred when the Sino truck, registration number UBK 495F, which was loaded with stones, reportedly lost control as it travelled from Kakiri towards Kampala. Traffic Police said the truck rammed into three vehicles: a Toyota Hiace commuter taxi, UAT 272J, a Subaru Forester, registration number UBB 353D, and a Toyota Wish, registration number UBE 918T.
CCTV footage obtained by investigators shows the truck suddenly veering off the road before crashing into the vehicles that were moving in the opposite direction. The taxi, which had stopped by the roadside to load passengers, was hit with such immense force and pushed into a nearby billboard.
The footage also shows the truck’s turnboy jumping out of the vehicle and fleeing the scene, alongside the driver. The driver and conductor of the commuter taxi died at the scene, while nine passengers sustained injuries. The injured included five adults and four juveniles who were rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment.
Police are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the mechanical condition of the truck and whether road safety regulations were observed.
The Nkoowe crash has once again raised concerns over the safety of heavy-duty trucks commonly used to transport stones, sand and other construction materials. Such trucks have increasingly been linked to fatal crashes, with brake failure, overloading, speeding, poor mechanical condition and reckless driving frequently cited among the contributing factors.
Traffic Police have repeatedly urged drivers of heavy vehicles and other motorists to observe speed limits, maintain their vehicles properly and comply with road safety regulations to protect other road users-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
