The Friday night accident in Kiryandongo involved a bus traveling from Lira to Kampala which rammed into a tractor before rolling over and crashing into a beer truck. By Saturday, the total number of deaths from the accident had reached 22. Most of the injured survivors were taken to Kiryandongo Hospital while some were airlifted to Mulago Hospital for more specialized care. Dr. Michael Muhumuza a neural surgeon at Mulago Hospital said the injured who were brought to the hospital were in a stable condition and some might be discharged in a few days. “We received slightly over ten patients. Most of whom I think seem to have mainly the fractures or the broken bones more so of the long bones.” Said, Dr. Michael Muhumuza – Neural Surgeon, Mulago Hospital.
In response to the accident, the government declared three days of national mourning during which all flags will be expected to fly at half-mast. "And the president has also directed that the 22 families that lost their loved ones, each of them given 5 million shillings to help them with funeral arrangements. And for the injured, those who have been severely injured and are in the hospital, they are given 3 million shillings each for purposes of helping them with medical treatment in the facilities where they are." Said, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda – Prime Minister of Uganda.
The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga promised to revive the road safety debate in Parliament in the coming week. She also recommended more stringent enforcement of the existing traffic rules and regulations in addition to instituting newer, tougher road safety measures. “And I want to call upon the Inspector General of Police to reinstate operation Fika Salama on all the long haul roads, the idea of speed cameras I think it is necessary that we invest in them especially in the long haul roads. So that drivers know that yes you are driving but there is somebody watching.” During the month of May 2017, the Uganda Police recorded 1,024 accidents while in 2015, a World Health Organization Road Safety Report recorded 27.4 traffic deaths per 100,000 every year in the East African region as Tanzania still remained the highest.
