The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has revealed that at least 37 people lost their lives in various accidents on Ugandan roads over the Easter long weekend.

The toll includes nine family members including two children who perished in a fatal accident on Good Friday after a Toyota Alphard vehicle they were travelling in collided with a fuel truck at Kinono Trading Centre in Lwengo district.

While addressing journalists on Tuesday morning at the police headquarters, Traffic Police spokesperson, ASP Faridah Nampiima said 76 accidents were registered between April 7th (Good Friday) and April 10th (Easter Monday).

Out of these, 28 were fatal, 40 were serious and were minor crashes.

“There were 113 victims out of these crashes, 37 died and 76 sustained serious injuries.” Ms Nampiima said as she gave full details of the category of user passengers who perished in the crashes registered.

“For the driver, One driver died and 8 were injured, 10 motorcyclists died, 22 got serious injuries, one pedal cyclist died and 2 got injured, Three passengers on motorcycles died and 15 sustained serious injuries, 2 passengers in Taxi’s died and 4 sustained serious, 8 passengers in other vehicles died and 12 sustained injuries and 12 pedestrians also died bringing the total number of the dead to 37,” said Ms Nampiima.

She attributed the accidents to careless overtaking which resulted in four fatal accidents and overspeeding (resulting in 29 crashes where 11 were fatal), unknown causes (where 10 accidents were registered, six being fatal and three serious), and sudden turning.

The accidents during the Easter holiday also saw two passengers in taxis die and four others injured whereas one pedal cyclist died and two were injured.

According to the Annual Crime Report 2022, the country registered 20,394 cases of road accidents in 2022 compared to 17,443 registered the previous year.

Out of every 100 crashes, 22 people died while 61 per cent of all accidents were as a result of reckless driving, the police said