At least several people are feared dead following a fatal road crash in Buikwe District on Monday evening, after a passenger bus belonging to YY Coaches overturned and caught fire along the Kisoga–Nyenga Road.
The tragic incident occurred at approximately 5:00 PM in Makindu Village, according to the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety.
“We confirm a single fatal road crash that occurred on May 5, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM in Makindu Village, along the Kisoga–Nyenga Road in Buikwe District,” said SP Michael Kananura, the spokesperson for the directorate.
“The crash involved a Scania motor vehicle, registration number UAV 701C, belonging to YY Company. The vehicle was traveling from Katosi to Jinja when the driver lost control at Makindu Village. It overturned and caught fire, resulting in the loss of lives, who are yet to be identified, and injuries to multiple passengers who have been rushed to Kawolo Hospital, St. Francis Lwanga Hospital in Buikwe, and other nearby health facilities, where they are currently receiving medical attention,” he added.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes as the bus, reportedly carrying over 50 passengers, overturned multiple times before going up in flames. Several passengers were trapped inside, with only a handful managing to escape through broken windows.
“It was chaos. People were screaming and trying to get out, but the fire spread so fast,” recounted Mr. Paul Kakande, a resident of the area who arrived moments after the crash.
Police and emergency responders rushed to the scene and were still working late into the evening to extinguish the fire and retrieve the remains of those who perished.
“Police and emergency services are on the scene, working to extinguish the fire and retrieve the bodies of those who perished in the crash,” SP Kananura confirmed. “We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.”
The transport company, YY Coaches, has yet to release an official statement, but sources indicated that management is liaising with police to establish the cause of the accident and offer support to victims and their families.
This incident adds to the growing toll of deadly road crashes in Uganda, where poor road conditions, speeding, and reckless driving continue to claim thousands of lives annually. The Uganda Police Force has repeatedly urged road users—particularly drivers of public service vehicles—to exercise greater caution.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
