OTUKE,UGANDA: 17, April, 2026: Three dead, 16 injured as truck overturns.
By Patrick Okidi
OTUKE. Three people died on the spot and 16 others sustained serious injuries on Thursday night after a truck they were traveling in overturned in Agwila village, Adwari Sub-County, Otuke District.
The 8:00 PM accident involved a green and white Isuzu truck, registration number UBR 316D, which was transporting mourners back to Lira City from a burial.
The North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, identified the deceased as Sarah Akello, 30, Jasper Omara, 27, and Geoffrey Odur, 25—all residents of Lira City.
According to preliminary police findings, the tragedy was caused by human error. It is alleged that the unidentified driver was speeding and using a mobile phone when he lost control of the vehicle.
“The driver lost control and the vehicle overturned, killing three people instantly. We have established that he was overspeeding and distracted by his phone at the time of the crash,” SP Okema said.
The 16 survivors were rushed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for emergency medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were conveyed to Orum Health Centre IV mortuary for postmortem examinations.
By Friday morning, the driver remained in hiding. Police have appealed to him to surrender to the nearest station to assist with investigations.
“It is a very unfortunate incident. We send our condolences to the bereaved families but also warn drivers to respect road safety rules to avoid such unnecessary carnage,” Okema added.
Traffic police visited the scene to draw a sketch plan of the accident, and the wreckage of the truck was still at the site awaiting towing. Police said statements will be recorded from the survivors as soon as their conditions stabilize to help compile a file for the Resident State Attorney.
About the Author
