In a devastating road crash that shocked the region this afternoon, six people have been confirmed dead and several others injured after a fatal head-on collision involving Kenyan and Rwandan buses along the Ntungamo-Kabale Highway in western Uganda.
The tragic incident occurred at around 2:45 PM at Hakabira, atop the treacherous Rwahi Hill in Rwahi Town Council, Ntungamo District.
Eyewitnesses say the weather conditions had worsened rapidly, with thick fog and a slippery road surface believed to have contributed to the crash.
According to local authorities, the two buses — one operated by a Kenyan company and the other by a Rwandan firm — were traveling at considerable speeds when they collided on a sharp bend known for its poor visibility.
The impact of the collision was so severe that both vehicles were reduced to mangled wreckage, blocking the highway for several hours.
Police and emergency responders from Ntungamo District rushed to the scene to retrieve the bodies and transport the injured to nearby health facilities.
“We have confirmed six fatalities, including the drivers of both buses. Several passengers sustained serious injuries and have been rushed to Itojo Hospital and other nearby medical centres,” said Ntungamo District Police Commander, SP Elias Twesigye.
Among the deceased are four men and two women, whose identities are being withheld pending notification of their families.
Authorities are now working to coordinate with Kenyan and Rwandan embassies to identify the victims and provide assistance to the survivors.
Travelers on the route have expressed concern over the safety of the highway, especially during the rainy season. “This hill is a death trap. Visibility drops fast, and the road becomes very slippery.
Authorities must do something before more lives are lost,” lamented Patrick Mugisha, a local trader who arrived at the scene moments after the crash.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has since deployed teams to clear the highway and assess safety measures.
Meanwhile, transport operators have been urged to exercise maximum caution during adverse weather conditions.
As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, grief and shock ripple across Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, with many calling for regional collaboration on road safety enforcement along key transit corridors.