Four dead, 13 injured as taxi plunges into river in Busia

At least four people have been confirmed dead and 13 others seriously injured following a road accident in Busia district this morning.

The incident occurred at around 6:40 a.m. at Amungura bridge along the Busia–Tororo road, when a Toyota Hiace, taxi registration number UA 889AM, plunged into the Malaba river after reportedly losing control.

According to Bukedi South Police spokesperson Moses Mugwe, the vehicle was travelling from Kampala to Tororo when the driver, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, learned at Busitema checkpoint that the Tororo road was temporarily blocked due to an earlier accident.

He thereafter diverted to the Busia–Tororo route and was allegedly speeding when he knocked a pedestrian, Okedi Raymond, 75, of Amungura village, Buteba sub-county, before veering off the road and plunging into the river.

Four passengers died on the spot, while 13 others sustained serious injuries. The injured have been identified as John Onyango, Peter Owor, Michael Onyanga, Wilson Opendi, Scovia Adikin, Rosemary Achiang, Patricia Nyakeyo, Godfrey Rumo, Peter Owor, Musa Mahadi, Mary Anyango, Grace Amali, and Alex Odoi.

The deceased were taken to Tororo Mortuary for postmortem, while the wreckage was towed to Busia central police station pending inspection by the Inspector of Vehicles (IOV).