Matooke trailer malfunction claims one, injures 7

There was a stampede in a Masaka city market on Wednesday morning when a Kenyan registered trailer loaded with matooke failed to brake.

The trailer, which was laden with matooke from Mbarara district side and had parked on the roadside to be offloaded in Masaka city, later overturned after moving on the loose for over one kilometre.   

Rebecca Namanda, a businesswoman and a resident of Nyendom died on the spot, while seven other traders who were on the trailer offloading matooke sustained serious injuries. 

A statement issued by traffic Police spokesperson Faridah Nampiima indicated that the single fatal accident occurred on Wednesday morning, April 12, 2023, at Soweto Market at about 5:30 am.  

Nampiima said the crash involved motor vehicle registration number KBD 88Y/ZCB938 and added that preliminary information indicated that the trailer had moved from Mbarara and was offloading matooke from different points along the way. However, when it reached Soweto Market opposite Masaka Secondary School and the roundabout in Masaka City, several vendors climbed onto the trailer to offload the matooke.  

However, it just started moving on its own into the gardens below the municipal works and overturned, killing one person on the spot.  

Nampiima said with the help of the Police Fire Brigade, the Uganda Red Cross, the Police ambulance and an ambulance from Mulago Referral Hospital, the injured were rushed to the hospital for first aid treatment.  

Nampiima cautioned traders against moving on trailers, saying the vehicles were only licensed to transport goods and luggage, but not passengers. Inquiries were still underway.