Lead
More than 60 people died after a crash involving two buses, a lorry and a car in Uganda, police said on Wednesday. Officers confirmed many others suffered injuries. They said investigators started work to establish how the collision unfolded and why the toll rose so quickly. Rescue teams moved casualties to nearby health facilities, as authorities urged the public to avoid the area and allow emergency crews to operate. Officials warned the death toll could change as hospitals shared updates. The scale of the crash drew swift attention from road safety advocates, who pointed to the lethal mix of heavy vehicles, high passenger numbers and long-distance travel on major routes. Police said they would release fuller details after they notified families and identified the victims.
Context and timing
Police announced the mass-casualty crash in Uganda on Wednesday, 22 October 2025. The collision involved two buses, a lorry and a car. Officers said many people also suffered injuries. Authorities did not immediately release a detailed location or the precise number of hospitalised survivors. The investigation continued as emergency teams worked through the day.
Police confirm heavy loss of life and urge caution on the roads
Uganda Police said more than 60 people died in a crash that involved multiple vehicles. They confirmed the vehicles included two buses, a lorry and a car, and that many people sustained injuries. Officers said they started a formal investigation and would update the public as they verified the toll and the list of casualties. They stressed the need for drivers to reduce speed and maintain safe distances, especially near busy junctions and on stretches used by long-haul traffic.
The early statement did not assign blame and did not set out the sequence of events. Police said they would examine vehicle condition, driver records, and any available dashcam or roadside camera footage. They also said they would take witness statements and check whether weather, road layout or lighting played a role. Authorities asked anyone with information or recordings to contact investigators.
Emergency response and hospital capacity under pressure
Ambulances moved survivors to local health facilities, according to officials. Health workers triaged patients and prioritised those with life-threatening injuries. Authorities did not release hospital names or the exact number admitted, but they warned the figures could change as more information reached command centres. They said they coordinated with district leaders to ensure blood supplies and specialist care were available if needed.
Large collisions with buses and freight vehicles can strain emergency care, especially when many patients arrive at once. Trauma specialists often highlight the importance of rapid transport, stabilisation, and access to surgery in the first hours after a crash. In similar incidents, hospitals have called for blood donations and extra staff rosters, though officials had not issued a specific public appeal by the time police confirmed the death toll. Authorities said they would brief the public if they needed extra support.
What we know about the vehicles involved
Police said the crash involved two buses, a lorry and a car. Collisions that involve large passenger vehicles and heavy goods lorries often bring high casualties because of the speed and mass involved. Buses on intercity routes can carry dozens of passengers, while lorries transport heavy loads that can cause severe damage on impact. Smaller vehicles can offer less protection in multi-vehicle pile-ups, especially if they become trapped between larger units.
Investigators usually look at tyre condition, braking performance, driver hours, and load security when they assess a crash with mixed vehicle types. They also examine road design issues such as overtaking lanes, sightlines, and signage. While police did not suggest a cause, specialists often check whether speed, fatigue, distraction, or unsafe overtaking contributed to complex collisions. Authorities said they would publish their findings when they concluded the inquiry.
Uganda’s road safety record and regional context
Road crashes cause heavy loss of life across sub-Saharan Africa. Public health agencies say more than a million people die on the world’s roads each year, with Africa carrying one of the highest rates of death per capita. Factors include rapid growth in vehicle numbers, high use of motorcycles, limited enforcement capacity, and uneven road quality in some areas. Urban sprawl and long intercity journeys add risk when traffic mixes at different speeds.
Uganda has worked to improve road safety with enforcement drives and public awareness campaigns. Police reports in recent years show thousands of crashes and large numbers of deaths annually. Safety advocates have called for stronger speed management, more seat-belt use, consistent helmet use for motorcyclists, improved pedestrian facilities, and better post-crash care. International studies suggest a combination of enforcement, infrastructure upgrades, and safer vehicles can reduce deaths over time.
Expert guidance on preventing bus and lorry disasters
Road safety experts recommend strict speed limits for buses and heavy goods vehicles, along with regular vehicle inspections. They also encourage operators to manage driver schedules to reduce fatigue on long routes. When authorities enforce rules on speed, seat belts, and vehicle maintenance, fatality rates tend to fall. Researchers also point to median barriers, rumble strips, clear lane markings, and improved lighting as proven measures on high-risk corridors.
For long-distance bus transport, experts often call for clear rules on passenger numbers, luggage loading, and designated rest stops. Training programmes for commercial drivers on hazard perception and defensive driving can also help. Freight operators can improve safety by checking loads, brakes, and tyres before trips. While no single fix can prevent every crash, a package of measures applied consistently tends to deliver measurable reductions in deaths and serious injuries.
The toll on families and communities
A mass-casualty crash sends shock waves through families, workplaces and schools. Many victims in such incidents are breadwinners, students, or traders travelling between towns. The sudden loss places financial and emotional strain on households and communities. Survivors may face long recoveries, including surgery, rehabilitation and loss of income. Social support, counselling, and legal assistance can help families navigate the aftermath.
Authorities often urge the public to verify information through official channels to avoid misinformation about the identity of victims and the status of survivors. Police said they would share verified updates and notify next of kin. Community leaders and civil society groups may organise support for affected families, including transport for burials and help with hospital bills. Officials said they would coordinate with local authorities as the response continued.
What investigators will look for next
Police crash investigators will map the scene, measure skid marks, and assess the final positions of the vehicles. They will review driver licences, insurance, and maintenance records. If they can recover tachograph or tracking data, they will check speed and routes. For buses, investigators may review passenger manifests and operator compliance with safety rules. For the lorry, they will check load weight and security. For the car, they will assess damage patterns to understand the chain of impacts.
Authorities will also consider the time of day, traffic levels, weather and visibility at the moment of the collision. They may consult road engineers to decide whether the stretch needs safety upgrades or temporary controls. Police said they would share conclusions and any enforcement actions after they completed the inquiry. They reminded drivers that safe speeds, sober driving, and seat belts remain the most effective ways to reduce harm.
Wrap-up
The police-confirmed death toll of more than 60 underscores the deadly consequences when multiple heavy vehicles collide. Two buses, a lorry and a car were involved, and many people suffered injuries, authorities said. Investigators will test whether speed, fatigue, vehicle condition or road design played a part, and they will set out any enforcement steps that follow. As hospitals treat survivors, officials have warned the figures could change as they confirm identities and contact families. The incident adds urgency to calls for tighter speed control, better vehicle inspections, improved road design and stronger post-crash care. Officials said they would provide further updates as the investigation progresses and as they complete the difficult task of notifying next of kin. The focus now shifts to facts from the inquiry, support for victims, and steps that can prevent another disaster on Uganda’s roads.