Four students from Kampala International University in Ishaka are in critical condition after their car overturned several times on the Katwe–Kabatoro–Kasese road.
The group, made up of Julius Manyardi, Angelina Akello, Marvin Oyesiga, and Eric Acidri, had spent the day visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park. On their way back, the Toyota Premio they were travelling in, driven by Benard Emwodu, lost control and rolled off the road.
Police officers from Katwe-Kabatoro rushed to the scene and moved the injured students to Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital in Kasese town. According to Rwenzori East police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime, speeding is believed to have caused the crash. He added that patrols are being increased in the area to reduce reckless driving.
Kasese is well known as a gateway to Uganda’s national parks and also to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. But the district has in recent years recorded many road accidents, with police linking most of them to overspeeding and tired drivers.
Families, friends, and fellow students are now waiting anxiously for updates as the four young people fight for their lives. The incident has renewed calls for drivers to slow down and for stronger measures to make roads safer in one of Uganda’s busiest tourist routes.
