By Mike Rwothomio 

The death toll from Monday's tragic road accident has climbed to four after recovery teams retrieved three more bodies from the fast-flowing Nyagak River on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Among the latest discoveries was the body of four-year-old Adriko John, recovered more than 600 meters downstream from the crash site near the Nyagak bridge on the side of Athuma village, Abeju Parish, Nyapea Sub-county. 

Local divers also retrieved two additional bodies, one identified as Joshua, in his 40s, the taxi's conductor from Mboira 2 village, Mboira Sub-county, Kiryandongo District; and another unidentified female victim believed to be in her 30s, whose relatives had not yet arrived for identification by press time.

The recoveries follow the discovery on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, of the body of eight-year-old Sarah Akello, identified by her grandfather, Opoka Charles, from Kapapi sub-county, Hoima District. Opoka had earlier identified his grandson Adriko John as one of the missing victims.

The accident occurred around midday on Monday, February 23, 2026, when commuter taxi registration UBJ 956G, en route from Hoima to Zombo District, lost control due to brake failure while negotiating a sharp curve near the narrow Nyagak bridge.

The local divers retrieving the body of a one Joshua, the taxi conductor under the bridge. Photo. Mike rwothomio.

The vehicle plunged into the river, trapping or sweeping away passengers in the strong currents and the exact number of occupants remains unclear due to fragmented information

Calls for Support Amid Ongoing Search

Local divers, primarily youths, have been searching tirelessly since Monday despite challenging conditions, including insufficient food and other resources.

Franco Ongewun aka Rasta, a senior diver, appealed for government support to sustain the effort.

Diver Brian Mungacel highlighted the lack of food for full-time operations, while rescuer Crespo Jaraloch noted growing demoralization among the team but emphasized their continued commitment driven by empathy for affected families.

LCI Chairperson David Ocakacon of Athuma village urged the public to assist in identifying the remaining bodies and called for enhanced support for the divers.

By press time, bodies had been recovered at various points: one under the bridge, one about 200 meters away, and the child's body over 600 meters downstream.

Police van was stationed near the bridge to transport them for autopsy.

Preliminary police investigations attribute the crash to brake failure, with the case filed under Zombo TAR 25/2026.

Injury Update

West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SSP Josephine Angucia previously reported that eight victims were rescued and are receiving treatment at Nyapea Hospital. 

Those with serious injuries include:

Monday Stephen, 53, male, Hoima resident

Kasamba Ronald, 32, male, Anyola, Hoima

Those with minor injuries include:

Thoringo Joyce, 35, female

Orach Santorina, female

Abiro Rose, 45, female

Acen Scovia, 11, female

Adubango Florence, 32, female

Maditrwoth Crispa, 4, male juvenile

Anyomirwoth, 3 months, female juvenile

Atyeronimungu Gladys, 22, female

Semirwoth, Anyola resident

Amiki Godfrey, 22, male

Enzu Stephen

Local leaders, including Oyeyu Parish Councilor Joe Ubedgiu, noted that some victims are responding well to treatment.

The incident echoes a similar tragedy in October 2024 at the same location, where a beverage truck plunged into the river after a head-on collision.

The rehabilitated road stretch remains accident-prone due to sharp curves, steep approaches, and inadequate signage.

Uganda's 2024 Police Annual Crime Report recorded an average of at least 14 daily road fatalities nationwide, renewing urgent calls for stricter vehicle maintenance, speed reduction near bridges and rivers, and greater caution on high-risk rural routes.

Relatives of the deceased taxi conductor.

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