Mabira forest crash claims life of UPDF senior officer

A senior military officer has been killed in a nasty road collision involving three vehicles on the Kampala-Jinja Road in Buikwe district.

Police said Maj. Nsamba Habib Katakabire of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) died on the spot after colliding head-on with a trailer.

The crash happened in Mabira forest at Sanga Friday afternoon.

The impact sent Katakabire's vehicle — a Toyota Land Cruiser (UBQ 424N) — knocking a salon car.

In a statement, Ssezibwa region Police spokesperson Hellen Butoto provided details of the three-vehicle crash.

This trailer tipped over following the three-vehicle crash in Mabira forest on April 19, 2024 in Buikwe district. (Credit: Uganda Police)

Katakabire, 54, was heading towards Jinja from Kampala.

A one Muhammad Kasozi was behind the wheels of the Howo trailer (UBP 644S/UBP 770N) heading in the opposite direction.

The third vehicle, a Toyota Corona Premio (UBP 411L), was being driven by Police Constable Isaac Kayondo, who is attached to Bweyogerere Police Station in Kampala.

The exact account of the moments leading to the fatal crash cannot be independently verified but according to regional Police spokesperson Butoto, Katakabire was reportedly overtaking vehicles and in the process collided with the oncoming trailer.

After the collision, the UPDF officer's vehicle is said to have rolled and hit Kayondo's car, which was heading towards Jinja.

Katakabire lost his life at the scene.

Police said the 62-year-old driver of the trailer, who is a resident of Kamuli district, survived with injuries and was taken to Kawolo Hospital in Lugazi for emergency treatment.

Kayondo, who was driving the third vehicle, also survived.

The mangled remains of the two smaller vehicles were towed off to Mabira Police Station for inspection.

The trailer, which had tipped over from the impact of the crash, required a crane to lift it back up on its wheels.

Butoto said they have launched investigations into the tragic incident.

Last year, Uganda recorded a 30 percent increase in road fatalities, with 4,179 lives lost, according to the 2023 Annual Traffic and Safety Report, which was released this year.

These fatalities were an increase from 3,210 in 2022. 

The figures for serious crashes increased to 12,487 in 2023 from 8,860 in 2022. 

At least 23,608 road crashes were recorded in 2023 compared to 20,394 cases registered, the report said.