A devastating road accident recently claimed the lives of three individuals and left sixteen others injured in Otuke District. Police from the North Kyoga Region reported that the crash took place last Thursday evening, around 8:00 PM, in Agwila Village within Otuke.
The incident involved a green and white Isuzu vehicle, which was tragically transporting passengers back home after attending a burial. Initial police investigations suggest that the driver, who has not yet been identified, was allegedly driving too fast and distracted by a mobile phone. This dangerous combination caused him to lose control, resulting in the vehicle overturning.
Three people died instantly at the scene. The sixteen injured individuals were quickly taken to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for urgent medical care. The bodies of those who passed away are being held at Orum Health Centre mortuary for further examination. The victims who lost their lives were identified as Akello Sarah, 30, Omara Jasper, 27, and Odur Geoffrey, 25, all residents of Lira City.
Police officers are actively investigating the crash, and the damaged vehicle remains at the accident site. Statements will be collected from the survivors as part of the ongoing inquiry, with a full report eventually being sent to the Resident State Attorney for legal action.
SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the spokesperson for North Kyoga Regional Police, called the event a tragedy and offered his deepest sympathies to the families grieving their losses. He urgently appealed to everyone, especially those behind the wheel, to strictly follow road safety rules. He stressed the importance of avoiding risky habits like speeding and using mobile phones while driving, reminding everyone that such actions repeatedly lead to avoidable deaths and injuries on our roads.