News
Bus driver faces 44 charges over Mukono train crash
The accident occurred on July 10 at around 6:00am when the bus, ferrying students and staff of Mwebaze High School in Kakiri, Wakiso District, entered the railway crossing.
Michael Kananura, spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, addresses journalists at Naguru Police Headquarters. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
By: John Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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The driver of a Friendship Coaches bus that collided with a passenger train in Mukono District last month, killing a teacher and injuring several students, has been arrested and faces 44 charges.
Christopher Kikomeko was arrested on Sunday (August 30) following investigations into the accident at the Namumira-Bukasa railway crossing along the Mukono-Katosi Road in Nakisunga Sub-county.
Michael Kananura, the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety spokesperson, said Kikomeko is expected to face 44 counts in court.
These include reckless driving, causing death by reckless driving, 40 counts of causing bodily harm, and causing damage to the train.
“The suspect will be presented before court to undergo the due process of law,” Kananura told journalists today (August 31) during the weekly security briefing at the police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala.
The accident occurred on July 10 at around 6:00am when the bus, ferrying students and staff of Mwebaze High School in Kakiri, Wakiso District, entered the railway crossing.
The bus was heading to Jinja District for an educational trip when it rammed into a Kampala-bound passenger train.
Preliminary reports and witness accounts indicate that the driver failed to heed warning signs by a traffic police officer so as to give way to the approaching train.
A female teacher died in the crash, while several other occupants sustained serious injuries and were rushed to different health facilities for treatment.
The tragedy has renewed calls from local leaders and residents for the installation of protective barriers at railway crossings to prevent a recurrence.
The accident occurred on July 10 at around 6:00am when the bus, ferrying students and staff of Mwebaze High School in Kakiri, Wakiso District, entered the railway crossing.
The bus was heading to Jinja District for an educational trip when it rammed into a Kampala-bound passenger train.
Preliminary reports and witness accounts indicate that the driver failed to heed warning signs by a traffic police officer so as to give way to the approaching train.
A female teacher died in the crash, while several other occupants sustained serious injuries and were rushed to different health facilities for treatment.
The tragedy has renewed calls from local leaders and residents for the installation of protective barriers at railway crossings to prevent a recurrence.
Starting last Monday (August 24), the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has intensified enforcement operations targeting vehicles deemed unfit for use in Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Kananura said more than 178 public service vehicles have since been impounded for being in a Dangerous Mechanical Condition.
The vehicles had defects including faulty brakes, worn-out tyres and compromised structural components.
Traffic statistics
While releasing the 2025 annual traffic statistics in April this year, Traffic and Safety Directorate Director at the Uganda Police Force, Lawrence Niwabiine, said a total of 26,044 road traffic crashes were reported in 2025, compared to 25,107 crashes recorded in 2024, representing an increase of 3.7%.
Niwabiine said that of the 26,044 crashes, 4,602 were fatal, meaning that one or more lives were lost, while 13,563 were serious and 7,879 were minor.
Kananura said more than 178 public service vehicles have since been impounded for being in a Dangerous Mechanical Condition.
The vehicles had defects including faulty brakes, worn-out tyres and compromised structural components.
Traffic statistics
While releasing the 2025 annual traffic statistics in April this year, Traffic and Safety Directorate Director at the Uganda Police Force, Lawrence Niwabiine, said a total of 26,044 road traffic crashes were reported in 2025, compared to 25,107 crashes recorded in 2024, representing an increase of 3.7%.
Niwabiine said that of the 26,044 crashes, 4,602 were fatal, meaning that one or more lives were lost, while 13,563 were serious and 7,879 were minor.