By Mike Rwothomio

The death toll in the tragic head-on collision between a Baby Coach bus and a fuel tanker on the Pakwach-Nebbi Highway at Payila Alwi, Pakwach District, on May 20, 2025, has risen to two , police confirmed.

The bus driver, Mustafa Male, 46, a Ugandan citizen, later succumbed to his injuries at Angal Hospital, while the tanker driver, Adan Omar, 48, a Kenyan citizen, died at the scene.

West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SP Collins Asea reported that the crash was caused by the bus driver’s careless driving, veering into the oncoming lane despite clear road warnings and the tanker being parked on the hard shoulder with visible markings.

Nineteen passengers sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at Pakwach HC IV, Nebbi Hospital, and other facilities.

The victims are :

1. Harriet Omarimungu, female, 35 years old, resident of Onjuko, Thatha County, Nebbi.

2. Paska Manano, woman, 36 years old, Olyeko, Nyacara, Nebbi.

3. Francis Bayo, male, 32 years old, Ediofe, Arua.

4. Remio Unyuth, male, 65 years old, Paidha, Zombo.

5. Johnstone Anguandia, male, 35, Luwero.

6. Faith Kisa, woman, 38 years old, Ungami Upper, Nebbi.

7. Sharon Michiparwoth, girl, 13 years old, Zombo.

8. Jackline Ururach, female, 60, Paidha, Zombo (currently in hospital with a broken right arm).

9. Peace Zulaika, female, 27 years old, Entebbe, Zombo.

10. Sharon Giramira, girl, 17 years old, Nebbi.

11. Claude Banny, male, 49 years old, Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

12. Masika Aganze, woman, 25 years old, Bunia, DRC.

13. Bitolona Faidha, female, 21 years old, Bunia, DRC.

14. Michael Bisanduyu, car, 53 cans, Juanyundu East, Paidha, Zombo.

15. Hassan Ongeowur, male, 26 years old, Nebbi.

16. Lembe Okwir, May, 25 years old, Bunia, DRC.

17. Elly Bitumen, male, 28 years old, Parombo, Nebbi.

18. Nuhamed Asuman, male, 27 years old, Codi Leysao, Kenya.

19. Joyce Anuria, female, 39 years old, Arua.

Police, led by the Pakwach District Police Commander, secured the scene, towed both vehicles to CPS Pakwach, and conducted autopsies.

The investigation continues, with further details to be released under Traffic Accident Report (TAR) 13/2025.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa