By Mike Rwothomio

A tragic head-on collision occurred on May 20, 2025, at approximately 9:35 PM at Payila Alwi, Pakwach District, along the Pakwach-Nebbi highway, claiming the life of Issack Adan Omar, 48, the driver of a fuel tanker (Reg. No. KBW 679H/ZG 0855, Mercedes-Benz).

The tanker collided with a Baby Coach bus (Reg. No. UBB 145S, Isuzu), driven by Mustafa, who sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Pakwach Health Centre IV for treatment.

Several bus passengers also suffered injuries and were transported to the same medical facility.

The crash involved the Baby Coach bus traveling toward Paidha, Zombo District, and the fuel tanker heading toward Pakwach town.

West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SP Collins Asea confirmed the incident, stating, "The Isuzu bus, driven by Mustafa, was en route to Paidha when it collided with a white Mercedes-Benz Astros fuel tanker driven by Issack Adan Omar, heading toward Pakwach."

Baby coach bus that got involved in the crash.

Residents shared images and videos of the crash scene on social media, sparking public discussion.

The Pakwach District Police Commander and his team inspected the site, but the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Both vehicles remain at the scene, and the deceased’s body was taken to Pakwach Health Centre IV’s morgue for a postmortem examination.

Police urged drivers to exercise caution and comply with traffic regulations to prevent such incidents. Further updates will be provided as investigations continue.

According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report for 2024, road traffic accidents remained a significant concern, with 4,523 fatalities recorded nationwide, a 2.3% increase from 4,421 in 2023.

The report highlighted 23,172 serious crashes, with the majority attributed to reckless driving, speeding, and failure to adhere to traffic regulations.

Northern Uganda, including Pakwach District, reported a notable share of accidents due to poor road conditions and heavy vehicle traffic.

The police emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance road safety through public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.