Kigezi Police: Ramping Up Road Safety Operations After 26 Crashes, 10 Deaths

• Kigezi Police have reported 10 fatalities and numerous serious injuries from 26 road crashes recorded in the last two months.
• The majority of these incidents, including 10 fatal crashes, occurred along the Kanungu-Rukungiri-Ntungamo and Kabale-Kisoro-Mbarara roads.
• Regional Police Spokesperson Nelson Tumushime announced intensified operations targeting over-speeding, dangerous overtaking, drink-driving, overloading, and dangerous mechanical conditions.
• Notable incidents include a pilgrim truck crash killing four and a future fatal collision involving a runaway trailer on September 20, 2026.
• Authorities are urging motorists to exercise caution, regularly service vehicles, and for community leaders to promote road safety awareness.

The regional police spokesperson, Nelson Tumushime, confirmed that operations are being intensified to target reckless motorists, specifically focusing on over-speeding, dangerous overtaking, drink-driving, overloading, and vehicles operating in dangerous mechanical condition.

Police authorities in Uganda's Kigezi region have issued a stark warning regarding a significant increase in road accidents, reporting a concerning surge in fatalities and serious injuries. Over the past two months, the region has recorded 26 road crashes, resulting in 10 deaths and numerous individuals sustaining severe injuries. These Kigezi road crash statistics indicate a troubling trend, with 10 of these incidents classified as fatal, 12 as serious, and six as minor.

The majority of these incidents have occurred along critical transportation arteries, specifically the Kanungu-Rukungiri-Ntungamo and Kabale-Kisoro-Mbarara roads. Nelson Tumushime, the Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, expressed profound concern over the escalating number of fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for intervention to curb this dangerous trajectory.

The gravity of the situation is further highlighted by several recent tragic events. In Rukungiri District, an Isuzu truck, reportedly transporting pilgrims, failed to navigate a corner, leading to a collision with a boda boda rider. This devastating incident resulted in four immediate fatalities and left more than 30 other individuals injured.

Another fatal crash, reported to occur on September 20, 2026, involved Rodgers Akanyijuka, a 19-year-old cyclist from Kahondo Village, Kaharo Sub-county in Kabale District, who was struck and killed by a runaway trailer. Additionally, in Rubanda District, a Toyota Noah veered off the road after failing to negotiate a bend, claiming the lives of Rev. Sr. Mary Gorret Tugumenawe Kenda, 58, of Kabale Diocese, and an unidentified adult male. Several passengers in that vehicle, including Jenerus Katushabe, 47, Abed Hakiza, 30, a Rwandan national, and Hamis Garuka, 54, sustained serious injuries and required immediate hospitalization.

In response to the alarming figures, the Kigezi Police road safety operations are being significantly ramped up. The regional police spokesperson, Nelson Tumushime, confirmed that operations are being intensified to target reckless motorists, specifically focusing on over-speeding, dangerous overtaking, drink-driving, overloading, and vehicles operating in dangerous mechanical condition. This robust Uganda Kigezi traffic enforcement initiative aims to deter non-compliant behavior and enhance road safety across the region.

This increased scrutiny, particularly concerning Uganda dangerous mechanical condition vehicles, signals a heightened risk environment for transport and logistics companies. Legal professionals should advise clients operating in this region to immediately review and bolster their driver compliance protocols and vehicle maintenance schedules to mitigate potential legal and financial repercussions.

Beyond enforcement, Nelson Tumushime road safety efforts extend to a broader appeal for public cooperation and awareness. He urged all motorists to exercise maximum caution on the roads, emphasizing that 'speed kills and life has no spare parts.' Tumushime also called upon vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles undergo regular servicing to prevent mechanical failures that contribute to accidents.

Furthermore, the police spokesperson appealed to the public to actively report reckless drivers to the authorities. He also called on religious leaders, local community leaders, and educational institutions to join forces in promoting essential road safety awareness campaigns, fostering a collective responsibility for safer roads in Kigezi.

Lawyers should advise transport and logistics clients operating in Uganda's Kigezi region to immediately review driver compliance and vehicle maintenance protocols. Intensified police operations targeting over-speeding, drink-driving, and dangerous mechanical conditions signal increased legal and financial risks for non-compliant entities and individuals.

Source: Original reporting via Nile Post