Four perish in fatal Masindi road accident

Masindi: Four people have died in a fatal road accident that occurred on Friday evening at around 5:00 PM along the Masindi–Hoima Road in Masindi Town.

The crash involved a motor vehicle, registration number UBL 510L, and two motorcycles, one of which was identified as UFH 238B. The registration details of the second motorcycle had not been established by press time.

According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was traveling from Kijura towards Masindi Town when the driver reportedly lost control. The vehicle knocked down three people before ramming into the perimeter wall of D’Venue Hotel.

One eyewitness, Stephen Mugume, blamed the driver for the crash, noting that other road users were properly in their lane before being hit.

Residents expressed shock and grief following the incident. Joy Ngajani, a neighbor to the deceased driver, Junior Kwezi, said she was saddened by his sudden death, noting that he had left home as usual earlier in the day. She added that Kwezi leaves behind a widow and one child.

Godfrey Musindi, the councillor representing Civic Centre Ward, said the driver is suspected to have hit a hump near Masindi Hospital junction, lost control, rammed into a motorcycle, and then crashed into the hotel wall, killing three people instantly. He added that the driver also died at the scene.

Musindi further alleged that the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident and urged motorists to avoid speeding and drunk driving.

Solomon Mugisa, the Albertine North Regional Police Community Liaison Officer and acting regional police spokesperson, confirmed the incident. He said the driver lost control of the vehicle, killing three people on the spot and injuring others.

Mugisa identified the deceased driver as Junior Kwezi and one of the riders as Otim Nicson, 40, a resident of Katama Cell. The identities of the other deceased persons had not yet been confirmed.

He added that bottles of beer were recovered from the vehicle, suggesting the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol. He urged all road users to exercise caution, avoid speeding, and adhere to traffic regulations.

The bodies of the deceased were taken to Masindi Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination before being handed over to their relatives for burial.

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