A tragic road accident along the Kampala–Masaka Highway has claimed the lives of 14 people after a taxi and a sand-laden truck collided head-on at Kamuwunga Trading Centre in the Lwera swamp area.
The fatal crash occurred at about 11:40 p.m. on Monday, August 3, 2026, involving a Toyota Hiace taxi, registration number UA 662AQ, which was heading towards Masaka, and a Sino truck, registration number UBS 040F, travelling in the opposite direction toward Kampala.
According to preliminary police investigations, the truck driver reportedly lost control after attempting to avoid recently installed speed humps along his lane in a section of the highway undergoing road works.
The truck is said to have crossed into the opposite lane, where it collided head-on with the oncoming taxi.
The force of the impact was devastating. Police say the heavily loaded truck, carrying sand, pushed the taxi for about 30 metres from the point of collision before both vehicles came to a stop off the roadway.
Authorities have so far identified most of the victims. They include taxi driver Abdul Karim Ssembatya of Masaka City, Alobo Alice Gracious (30) of Opit Town Council in Omoro District, Kizza Moses (30) of Kyetume in Kyotera District, Natondwa Joanita (23) of Masaka City, Namajja Aidah (52) of Masaka City, Ssebuuma Lawrence (34) of Mabaale Kifuufu in Kyotera District, Nabbosa Margaret (36) of Zirobwe Town Council in Luwero District, Nabbulime Veronica and her young daughter, Kizza Moses (27), Irora Innocent (39), an employee of Coca-Cola based in Namanve and a resident of Kyegegwa Town Council, Police Sergeant Nabukeya (Force No. 44616), and two unidentified male adults.
Four people survived the collision and were rescued from the wreckage. They include Edward Kaiga, 22, who was travelling in the truck, two male passengers from the taxi, and another unidentified passenger from the truck.
Police officers from Kalungu District, together with the Regional Traffic Officer for Masaka East and the District Police Commander, responded to the scene to document the crash and coordinate rescue operations.
The injured were transported by Red Cross ambulances to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the hospital mortuary.
The damaged taxi and truck were later towed to Lukaya Police Yard, where they will undergo inspection as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police have attributed the crash to reckless driving by the truck driver, who fled immediately after the collision.
A manhunt has been launched to locate and arrest the suspect as investigations continue.
The latest tragedy has renewed concerns over road safety on the Kampala–Masaka Highway, particularly along sections undergoing construction, where motorists have been urged to exercise greater caution and strictly observe traffic regulations.