Luwero: Motor Vehicle Plunges in Swamp, Kills One, Injures Two

A motor vehicle has plunged in the swamp along Kampala-Gulu highway claiming the life of Robert Eriat, a technician with Securex Engineering Services and injuring two others.

Eriat met his death when a Probox vehicle registration number UBG 865H he was he was travelling in together with Silver Oringa and Donald Adriko transporting Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera equipment plunged into the swamp.  

The incident occurred around 9:45 am at Ngogogoro village in Luwero district along Kampala-Gulu highway on Monday. Hanipher Namata an eyewitness says that the speeding vehicle destined for Gulu from Kampala lost control before it plunged into the swamp. 

She explains that she tried to stop the vehicle and sell pineapples to the occupants before it plunged into the swamp but pulled back because of the high speed.        

Adriko and Oringa managed to swim before the residents came to their rescue. Police recovered Eriat’s body from the wreckage after pulling it from the swamp.

Patrick Maikula, the acting Luwero district commander, says they rushed the two survivors to Luwero Hospital for treatment. 

He says that the deceased’s body is lying at Luwero hospital mortuary while the wreckage is at Luwero Central Police Station.

He says that they have commenced investigations into the accident and cautioned drivers against speeding on the highway.

At least 20 people died and scores escaped with injuries in accidents within Luwero district along Kampala-Gulu highway from January to May this year. 

This prompted Uganda National Roads Authority to erect humps in towns to limit the speed of motorists and save lives following numerous complaints from residents and local leaders.  

However, because of the few vehicles on the road owing to the nationwide lockdown, vehicles carrying cargo and essential workers are racing in areas without humps and police checkpoints.