Three People Killed at Kabwohe Stage in Accident Involving Palm Oil Truck

At least three people have been killed in a grisly road crash at Kabwohe Stage in Sheema Municipality after a truck loaded with palm oil lost control and rammed into several vehicles.

The crash occurred at about 8:30pm on Tuesday as the truck was travelling through Kabwohe town along the Mbarara-Ishaka road.

According to preliminary information from traffic police spokesperson Michael Kananura, the truck crashed into a Toyota Premio, with three people initially confirmed dead and two others injured.

“The truck loaded with palm oil was involved in the crash and is currently resting on a Toyota Premio where additional victims are suspected to be trapped,” Kananura said in an earlier statement.

Police and other emergency responders were forced to use an excavator to lift the truck and gain access to the wreckage as fears grew that more victims could be trapped underneath.

By the time of filing, the death toll had reportedly risen to five. But police were yet to confirm the latest figure.

Two of the victims were identified by locals as Umar, a boda boda rider, and Living, a motor vehicle mechanic who was working around the stage.

Eyewitnesses said the truck appeared to lose control before ploughing into vehicles parked at the busy stage, leaving mangled wreckage and triggering a frantic search for people who could have been trapped underneath.

The exact cause of the crash had not been officially established. However, some residents blamed the condition and narrowness of the road, saying heavy trucks often struggle to manoeuvre through the busy town.

The crash adds to growing concern over road safety along the Mbarara-Ishaka road, where residents say more than 15 accidents have been recorded in the past six months.

Police officers arrived at the scene to control traffic, coordinate the recovery operation and secure the wreckage. The bodies of those who died were taken to the mortuary at Kabwohe Health Centre IV.

Investigations into the crash are ongoing.

Accidents remain a concerning challenge. Recently, 14 people perished in an accident in Lwera, as reported Here.