Ten people are confirmed dead and seven others severely injured in a head on collision accident involving a Bakulu bus, registration number UAS 201N and a taxi along Gulu-Juba highway.
The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon at Nisitu Township in Nimule, 25 kilometers out of South Sudan capital, Juba. The bus was heading to Juba from Kampala when it collided with the taxi van coming from Juba.
The taxi reportedly had 14 passengers, among whom 10 died on spot, and four others critically injured while three passengers aboard the Bakulu Bus including a Kenyan and two South Sudanese nationals lost all their arms.
By press time, the total number of people aboard the bus and identities of those who perished were yet to be established. However the bus driver who survived with injuries was identified as Mr Gerald Kakande.
The deceased were taken to Juba Hospital morgue. Some of the injured were rushed to the same hospital where they are receiving treatment. Others have been taken to Uganda People’s Defence forces Health center at Nimule.
The tragic accident comes less than a month after another bus owned Bakulu Bus Company was involved in a head on collusion with a trailer leaving the driver, Denis Ziwa dead and several others critically injured.
The Aswa regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Jimmy Patrick said investigations into the accident have commenced.
“The accident happened at around 12:30pm. We have received confirmation reports that ten people have died mostly those in the taxi van. We still have scanty information on victims. But we assure the public that we are doing our best and liaising with our police counterparts in South Sudan on identities of the victims,” said Mr Okema.
Although the Police had no details on the cause of the accident by press time, Mr Okema noted that several accidents along this road are caused by limited road signs.
Other recent accidents along this road
In January this year, the driver of a Bakulu bus registration UAQ 045Q, died and 12 others were critically injured after the bus had a head on collision with a trailer truck registration CE666D/ZP9695 at Aruu
Junction in south Sudan. The bus was heading to Juba Capital.
In September last year, over 30 people were reported dead after a Bakulu bus was involved in a head on collision with a trailer truck at Nisitu in southern Sudan.
The Monitor
UM– USEKE.RW
