One dead, two injured in Arua–Nebbi road crash
Poor road conditions, including inadequate signage, potholes, and lack of regular maintenance, remain major contributors to these statistics.
West Nile: A fatal road accident along the Arua–Nebbi Road claimed one life and left two others injured on the evening of July 4, 2025, near Beach Trading Center bridge in Uganda’s West Nile sub-region.
The crash, which occurred around 6:00 PM, involved a Toyota Hiace (UBK 233Y), a Toyota Landcruiser (066.CD 111), and two motorcycles UEQ 007P (Yamaha) and UPZ 771R (Bajaj Boxer).
According to SP Collins Asea, spokesperson for the North and West Nile Police region, the Hiace driven by Nderegimana Richard, 44 was traveling from Arua City toward Nebbi when the accident occurred.
“Eyewitnesses reported that the Toyota Landcruiser, which was speeding from Nebbi toward Arua, swerved to avoid a pothole. This caused a chain reaction, leading the Hiace to collide with the two motorcycles,” SP Asea said.
Tragically, Asoru Jane, 42, a passenger on the Yamaha motorcycle (UEQ 007P), died instantly at the scene. The rider, Acidri Benson, 61, and the yet-to-be-identified rider of the Bajaj Boxer (UPZ 771R) sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Arua Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Landcruiser fled the scene, and police investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the crash. All vehicles involved have been towed to Arua District Police Station for forensic inspection, while the deceased’s body was taken to Arua City Mortuary for a postmortem.
Road Safety Concerns
This incident underscores ongoing road safety challenges in the West Nile sub-region. Residents have long decried the deteriorating state of the Arua–Nebbi Highway, blaming potholes and poor maintenance for increasing road accidents.
In November 2024, a pregnant woman died in a separate accident on the Pakwach–Wadelai–Inde road after a motorcycle hit a pothole. Similarly, in February 2025, another woman sustained injuries on the Midigo–Bugo–Kerwa road under similar circumstances.
The 2024 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report revealed that road crashes rose by 6.4%, from 23,608 cases in 2023 to 25,107 in 2024, resulting in 25,808 casualties, including 5,144 fatalitiesan average of 14 deaths daily. The report highlights motorcyclists and pedestrians as the most vulnerable, with pedestrian-involved collisions accounting for 19.5% of all accidents.
Poor road conditions, including inadequate signage, potholes, and lack of regular maintenance, remain major contributors to these statistics.
Call to Action
Leaders and residents across West Nile are urging government authorities to immediately rehabilitate key transport corridors like the Arua–Nebbi Highway, which is vital for trade and movement between Uganda and neighboring countries like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Uganda Police Force has extended condolences to the family of Asoru Jane and wished a swift recovery to the injured victims. Authorities have promised to provide updates as investigations into the crash progress.
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