More than 60 dead after multi-vehicle crash in Uganda

Two buses collided on a major motorway in Uganda early on Wednesday, killing 63 people and injuring several others, police said.

The incident occurred on the Kampala-Gulu highway just after midnight, when two buses “met head-on during the overtaking manoeuvres” police said in a statement posted on X.

One of the drivers swerved in an attempt to avoid collision, but instead caused “a chain reaction” which led to at least four other vehicles “losing control and overturning several times,” the statement said.

“As a result, 63 people lost lives, all occupants from involved vehicles and several others sustained injuries,” police said.

Those hurt had been taken to Kiryandongo Hospital and other nearby medical facilities, the statement said, but did not give any further details on the number injured or the extent of their wounds.

Sixty three people have been killed after several vehicles crashed on a major highway in Uganda, the police say.

The police revised down an earlier death toll of 63, saying they had mistakenly included victims who were unconscious and were now being treated.

The crash occurred when two buses travelling in opposite directions "met head on" while trying to overtake two other vehicles – a lorry and a car – on the Kampala-Gulu Highway at 00:15 local time (21:15 GMT), the Uganda Police Force said.

One of the buses swerved in an attempt to avoid a crash, but in the process caused a "head on and side collision" that led to a "chain reaction" in which other vehicles lost control and overturned.

As well as the fatalities, the passengers of the vehicles involved and several others were injured, police said. An investigation has been launched.The injured have been taken to different hospitals in the western town of Kiryandongo.

In a statement, police said they were working with health and emergency services to verify the numbers and provide accurate updates as investigations continue into the cause of the tragedy.

President Yoweri Museveni said he had learnt of the tragic accident "with sadness" and sent his condolences to the bereaved families.He urged caution to prevent such tragedies.

He directed that each bereaved family be given five million shillings each ($1,430; £1,070) and a million shillings to the injured.

The highway between the capital Kampala in the south and the northern city of Gulu is one of the country's busiest.Following the crash, police have urged motorists to avoid "dangerous and careless overtaking".

It said this "remains one of the leading causes of crashes in the country".