By Anthony Kushaba
Tragedy struck in Kisoro district on the evening of March 18, 2024, when a fatal crash involving multiple vehicles claimed the lives of three individuals and left others injured. The incident occurred at approximately 1800hrs at Airland Hotel, located in Kabuga village, Chahi sub-county along the Kisoro-Kabale road.
The vehicles involved in the collision were identified as a white Scania fuel tanker with Kenyan registration number KCH014K/ZF5477, a silver Subaru Forester bearing the registration UBM 445A, and a red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle registered as UDW017N.
The deceased have been identified as Byaruhanga Junior, a 22-year-old resident of Kanaba sub-county and the rider of the motorcycle, Niyonzima Erisa, a 56-year-old resident of Gisasa village, and Byukusenge Federensi, a 22-year-old resident of Gikoro village Nyakabande sub-county, who was a passenger in the Subaru Forester.
Additionally, Dusabimana Mathious, aged 50, the driver of the Subaru Forester, lost his life in the collision.
According to preliminary investigations by the police, the motorcycle and Subaru Forester were traveling from the Kabale side towards Kisoro when they encountered the speeding fuel tanker at Kisoro airport junction near Airland Hotel. The tanker, allegedly moving at an excessive speed, lost control at a corner, veered into the opposite lane, and collided with the motorcycle before pushing it into the path of the Subaru Forester.
The impact resulted in the instantaneous death of the two occupants of the motorcycle, while Byukusenge Federensi succumbed to her injuries at Mutolere Hospital during treatment.
The driver of the fuel tanker fled the scene and is currently being pursued by law enforcement authorities. Investigations suggest that speeding and suspected brake failure on the part of the tanker contributed to the tragic accident.
Police actions following the incident included the visitation of the scene by ASP Kushaba Michael and his team, the drawing of a sketch map, the transportation of victims to Mutolere Hospital, and the retrieval of bodies for postmortem examination at Kisoro Hospital mortuary. Additionally, the vehicles involved were impounded at Kisoro CPS pending inspection by the Inspectorate of Vehicles (IOV).
ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Public Relations Officer, urged motorists to adhere to traffic regulations and exercise caution on the roads to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Investigations into the accident are ongoing as authorities continue efforts to apprehend the fleeing tanker driver.
