Police in the Aswa West region have released the identities of the victims involved in a fatal road crash that claimed at least seven lives and left 13 others critically injured in Nwoya District. The accident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning at Lapok Mor Cell in Purongo Town Council when a bus belonging to Nile Star Bus Company, registration number UBP 736U, collided head-on with a trailer truck, registration numbers SSD 040A/SSD 498C.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the bus driver attempted to overtake two vehicles before colliding with the oncoming truck. (Daily Express) According to police, the bus was travelling from Arua City to Kampala and was being driven by Kasim Abulo Mandela, who has since been arrested. Police attributed the crash to reckless driving.
The deceased have been identified as Nelson Juria, 64, a resident of Patiko Village in Ayivu West, Arua City; Alexis Kakule Viribo, 26, a Congolese national; Elvin Treasure, 6; Dorrish Drabaru, 30; Margaret Poni Scopas, 20, a student at Ediofe St. Mary’s in Arua City; Moses Acaye, 32, a resident of Pida Cell in Koro Sub-county, Gulu City; and an unidentified male youth believed to be between 20 and 27 years old.
Several members of the same family were among the victims, including Police Constable Abiria Cosmas, attached to Nsambya VIPPU, who survived the crash but lost his wife, Drabaru, and daughter, Elvin Treasure. His other children — Elvin Asianzu, 9, Alpher Onyimunguni, 7, and Letasi Riva, 2 — were among those injured.
The injured victims have been identified as Godfrey Oduku, 53; Muhindo Talingana, 26, a Congolese national; PC Abiria Cosmas, 34; Denis Afayo, 22; Christopher Kansangaki, 34; Nelson Apangu, 55; Rev. Allan Avian, 54; Miru Asha, 44; Asianzu Vivian, 32; and Jurua Mike, 39. Nwoya District Traffic Officer Kasule Ogwal said all the injured are receiving treatment at Anaka Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, Lacor.
Police said investigations into the crash are ongoing and urged motorists to observe traffic regulations, especially during overtaking, to prevent similar tragedies-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
