By Mike Rwothomio

A passenger taxi truck plunged into the Nyagak River in Zombo District on Monday, February 23, 2026 at around 1:00 PM , leaving multiple people injured and at least two individuals reportedly swept away alive by strong currents during rescue efforts, according to eyewitnesses and local officials.

The incident occurred at Mathawele village, Oyeyu Parish, Nyapea Sub-County, along the Nebbi-Paidha-Zombo-Warr-Vurra road.

The vehicle, a taxi truck with registration number UBJ 956G, was en route from Bweyale to Warr Town Council when it reportedly lost control near a narrow Nyagak bridge connecting Nyapea and Abanga Sub-County.

Local divers and sand miners launched immediate rescue operations, successfully pulling out eight victim including two children, three women, and three men, who were critically injured and rushed to Nyapea Hospital for emergency treatment.

However, rescuers described harrowing scenes as swift river currents swept away two people alive while efforts were underway.

Edward Nyingaling, a sand miner and resident of Mathawele village, recounted: "We managed to rescue 8 people, however, we couldn't help as the first flowing waters swept away two people alive as we were seeing helplessly" noting that many others might have been trapped under the water.

Another rescuer, Patrick Jawiambe, said: "It was hard to rescue some of the people because the water was flowing very fast; we predict those people are under the waters."

The taxi truck with registration number UBJ 956G

The exact number of occupants on board remains unclear, but Zombo District Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Festus Ayikobua projected that the overloaded taxi was carrying nearly 20 people, citing preliminary information recorded.

By the time of reporting, the vehicle had been recovered from the river using a crane and impounded at Paidha Central Police Station. 

The driver's status, whether among the injured, missing, or otherwise, has not been confirmed.Police have not yet officially confirmed any fatalities from the incident.

The Zombo LCV Chairperson confirmed that the " taxi was traveling from Bweyale to Warr", appealing for urgent community support to aid in locating and recovering any missing victims.

RDC Ayikobua emphasized the need for road safety, noting: "People are recklessly driving and riding on the road and aside from that, many cars are not in good condition. Let's value our lives on the roads which are well rehabilitated."

Hundreds of residents gathered at the scene to witness the recovery operation, as the damaged taxi was pulled from the water, appearing beyond repair.

This incident echoes a similar tragedy in October 2024, when a beverage truck plunged into the Nyagak River at the same location following a head-on collision.

Authorities continue recovery and investigation efforts, with calls for greater caution on the rehabilitated but accident-prone road.

The 2024 Police annual crime report indicated that at least 14 people were killed on a daily in crashes on Ugandan roads.

The wreckage of the taxi truck.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub