Prominent businessman dies in a car crash in Kalangala

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KALANGALA - A prominent Kalangala businessman, Eddy Kiseka, the proprietor of Eddy’s Palace, died on Saturday morning in a motor vehicle crash along the Bugoma–Kalangala road.

Police say the incident occurred near the corner leading to Maboga Village when the Toyota Fielder in which he and five others were travelling overturned after a tyre burst. The group was returning from Bugoma, where they had attended a youth concert.

Kiseka died on the spot, while Kiberu Lodovic, Aisha, Dorcus, and another passenger sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the SIAAP health facility in Bugoma village. Another occupant, identified as Nicholas, escaped with minor injuries.

Jude Mutebi, one of the rescuers, said they found Kiseka trapped in the wreckage with a weak pulse.

“Eddy died in my arms as we tried to get him to the car that would take them to the health facility. Dorcus was badly injured on the stomach, Aisha was bleeding, and Lodovic complained of chest pain,” he said.

Mutebi said the group had just driven off from Bugoma when residents alerted them about an overturned vehicle ahead.

“We rushed to find Eddy still alive, but he died before we reached the facility,” he added. By press time, police had not yet released an official report about the crash.

Kiseka’s death has shocked the business and tourism community in Kalangala, where he was known for his investments in hospitality and agriculture. His establishment, Eddy’s Palace, is one of the most popular Entertainment centres on Ssese Islands.

Joseph Kakembo, of Bassesse Tours and Travel, said Kiseka was a pillar in promoting Kalangala’s tourism potential.

“His place wasn’t just a business; it was a sanctuary for those who loved the beauty of Ssese. His impact on tourism will be felt for years,” he said.

Robert Sunday Kigozi, the directly elected councillor for Kalangala Town Council Ward B, described Kiseka as a self-made entrepreneur who started small and grew steadily.

“He began with a small pork joint and later built an entertainment centre known across the islands. He created jobs for youths and encouraged others to start their own businesses,” Kigozi said.

Kalangala Town Council chairperson Victoria Braton said Kiseka’s ventures contributed significantly to local revenue.

“We collected taxes from his slaughterhouse and restaurants. His developments improved the image of our town,” she said.

District disaster committee focal person David Omongoti remembered Kiseka for his humanitarian work.

“When Lutoboka suffered twin fires, he helped us provide relief before government support arrived,” Omongoti said.

Joseph Nkambwe, leader of the Islands Oil Palm Farmers’ Block, said Kiseka owned about 40 acres of oil palm and employed over 60 youths in his businesses.

“We’ve lost a youthful investor with a clear vision for Kalangala’s development,” Nkambwe said.

Former district chairperson, Willy Lugoloobi, said the tragedy exposed the poor emergency health services in Kalangala District.

“If we had a hospital, maybe Eddy could have been saved. Kalangala Health Centre IV cannot handle such cases, and by the time the ferry reopened at 6am, it was too late,” Lugoloobi said.

He urged government to upgrade the health centre to hospital status to handle island emergencies without relying on Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, which is three to four hours away.

The accident adds to a growing list of fatal crashes along the same stretch.

In March 2024, Geoffrey Lubega, proprietor of Victoria Education Centre, died after being knocked by a speeding motorcycle near Bumangi Village.

A féw months ago, Wahabu Faisal Sonko, a coffee farmer from Mutambala Village, also died in a motorcycle collision on the same road.

Residents have since called for improved road safety and better emergency response systems on the islands.