news 23 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Drunk Driving Suspected in Masindi Crash That Kills Four
A Toyota RAV4 driver lost control on the Masindi-Kafu Road, killing two boda boda riders, a passenger, and himself in a crash linked to alcohol influence. Police highlight the persistent road safety crisis, with daily fatalities averaging 14 nationwide. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/masindi-road-crash-leaves-four-dead-linked-to-drunk-driving-5399890
A tragic accident on Sunday afternoon claimed four lives along the Masindi–Kafu Road near De’ Venue Hotel in Masindi Town. The driver of a Toyota RAV4 (UBL 510F), Duke Junior Kwezi, veered off the road at around 4pm, striking two parked boda boda riders.
Police suspect drunk driving as the primary cause. Eyewitness Musa Baguma described the vehicle speeding from Kijura trading center before swerving uncontrollably. Empty alcohol bottles found inside fueled suspicions.
The two riders and a female passenger died instantly, while Kwezi succumbed to injuries later. Bodies were taken to Masindi General Hospital mortuary for postmortem, and the wreckage removed to reopen the highway.
Albertine North Regional Police Spokesperson Solomon Mugisa urged drivers to shun alcohol behind the wheel, stressing risks to all road users. Road safety advocate Elan Bategeka called for stricter enforcement against speeding and drunk driving, major human error factors.
Masindi business leader Abdulah Serunkuma pushed for awareness campaigns targeting motorists and boda riders. The Masindi–Kafu route, vital for Bunyoro districts, remains a crash hotspot.
Uganda’s police report notes 14 daily road deaths, with 5,144 fatalities in 2024—a 7% rise from 2023.
Source: Daily Monitor