At least five traders have been killed after a truck they were transporting their produce in overshot a bridge in Amuria District in Uganda and plunged into a river.
The traders were on their way to Obalanga Cattle Market in Kapelebyong District when the driver of the truck, registration number UAU 429R, lost control on approach to Alereke Bridge, located between Abia and Asamuk sub-counties.
Stella Agudo, one of the survivors, described the horrific scene, saying, “Epone lo abu otumutu ikare, itunga lu ipu” (literally translated as the vehicle was overloaded, and it was like a tomb’).
According to Agudo, the accident occurred around 6am along the Soroti-Amuria Road.
She said the victims were buried under bags of produce they were transporting and the situation was worsened by the stagnant water in the bridge.
Agudo said five of her colleagues died on the spot after drowning in the water, while three others were critically injured.
The East Kyoga Region Police commander, Damalie Nasuha, who was at the scene with a team of police officers, said they will provide a comprehensive report on the accident after evacuating casualties.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Amuria General Hospital, while those in critical condition have been transferred to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital.
This is the third fatal accident in Amuria in recent times involving trucks transporting produce to the markets.
In 2022, another accident claimed 13 traders from Bugisu sub-region who were traveling to Adipala cattle market.
