KANUNGU – A fatal road accident has occurred in western Uganda, killing an American tourist and injuring three others.
The crash happened on January 27, 2025, at Kyeshero Bridge in Kakureiju village, Kanungu District.
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Eyewitnesses said the Toyota Land Cruiser, which was carrying the tourists, failed to brake while navigating a sharp corner on a slope.
The vehicle, driven by 33-year-old Alpha Dadaire, lost control, rolled several times, and ended up in the bridge.
Shuldman Harrison Evan, 40, from New York, died in the crash. The injured passengers were taken to Bwindi Hospital for treatment.
They were identified as Zachary Avayou, 39, from Pennsylvania; Jeremy Frederick Wright, 25, from California; and the driver, Alpha Dadaire.
The vehicle was towed to Kihihi Police Station for inspection and further investigation.
Sp Kananura Michael, CLO-Directorate of Traffic & Road Safety, urged drivers to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such tragic incidents.
“We urge all drivers to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such tragic incidents,” he said.
Kananura also offered condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he said.
Uganda’s Road Safety Crisis
Uganda has one of the highest road accident rates in the world, with thousands of people killed or injured every year.
The country’s mortality rate stands at 29 deaths per 100,000 population in 2019, higher than the global average. On average, 10 people die every day due to road traffic crashes.
According to official statistics, 158,390 road traffic injuries were reported in 2020, with 46,679 admissions. Motorcycles account for 53-55% of road traffic injuries, followed by pedestrians, motor vehicles and bicycles.
Motorcycle-related accidents remain a major concern, with little change in numbers since 2016. Pedestrians and cyclists are also vulnerable, with many accidents occurring on rural roads. Poor road conditions, reckless driving and inadequate safety measures are all contributing factors.
The Ugandan government has introduced measures to improve road safety, including stricter laws on drink-driving and the use of seatbelts.
Campaigns to raise awareness about road safety have also been launched. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem and reduce the number of accidents on Uganda’s roads.
