Uganda is mourning one of its deadliest road tragedies in recent years after a collision involving two buses and several other vehicles claimed at least 46 lives late Sunday night.

The crash occurred shortly after midnight on the busy Kampala–Gulu Highway, a key route linking the capital to northern Uganda. Police said the accident began when one of the buses attempted to overtake a lorry and a smaller car but collided head-on with another bus travelling from the opposite direction.

“The collision caused a chain reaction, with other vehicles losing control and overturning,” the Uganda Police Force said in a statement on Monday.

Earlier reports had placed the death toll at 63, but authorities later revised the figure after discovering that some passengers initially believed dead were still alive and receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.

Emergency Response and Investigation

The injured have been taken to hospitals in Kiryandongo, where medical teams are working round the clock. Police say a full investigation is under way to determine the precise cause of the crash.

Regional police spokesperson Julius Hakiiza attributed the accident to “dangerous overtaking,” noting that four vehicles were involved in total. “One of the buses tried to overtake and collided head-on with another coming from the opposite direction,” he told the BBC.

President Yoweri Museveni expressed sorrow over the tragedy, offering condolences to the families of those who died and pledging financial assistance.

“I have learnt of the tragic accident with sadness,” Museveni said in a statement. “Each bereaved family will receive five million shillings, and one million to the injured.”

A Recurring Problem

Uganda’s road safety record remains a national concern. The Kampala–Gulu Highway, one of the country’s busiest, has seen a string of fatal accidents in recent years, many blamed on reckless driving and poor enforcement of traffic laws.

Police have once again urged motorists to exercise caution and avoid “dangerous and careless overtaking,” which they described as one of the leading causes of crashes in the country.

As rescue teams clear the wreckage and families gather to identify their loved ones, the nation is left to grapple with the grim reminder that Uganda’s roads remain perilous — and that urgent reform is long overdue.