Five Dead as Overloaded Cattle Truck Overturns on Moroto-Soroti Highway

Tragedy struck the Moroto-Soroti highway in Napak District on Sunday after an overloaded truck carrying passengers and cattle veered off the road and overturned, killing five people instantly. Several other individuals sustained serious injuries and were transported to St. Kizito Hospital Matany for medical attention.

The fatal crash happened in Lodoon Village, Lorengechora Sub-county. According to preliminary reports from the police, the lorry, bearing registration number UNHCR 543U, was en route from Moroto to Soroti when a front tyre burst.

Karamoja Police spokesperson, IP Mike Longole, confirmed the incident, stating that the overloaded nature of the vehicle, coupled with the tyre burst, led the driver to lose control. The lorry subsequently overturned multiple times.

“The tyre burst caused the vehicle to overturn several times, killing five people instantly, while several others sustained serious injuries,” Longole stated. A police team from Iriiri Police Post has commenced an investigation into the exact circumstances of the accident.

Eyewitnesses, including Michael Lotyang, suggested that the vehicle was speeding prior to the crash. Lotyang commented that some of the fatalities might have been preventable had the driver exercised greater caution and maintained a safer speed, especially given the truck’s heavy load.

Authorities are urging all motorists to exercise extreme caution while driving, to refrain from overloading their vehicles, and to ensure their vehicles are in proper mechanical condition before embarking on journeys.

This incident was reported by Nile Post.