Tragic Kampala-Gulu Highway Crash in Uganda Leaves Dozens Dead
Tragic Multi-Vehicle Collision on Uganda Highway
A devastating collision involving multiple vehicles on Uganda’s Kampala-Gulu highway has claimed 46 lives, making it one of the country’s deadliest road accidents. Initial reports by police estimated 63 fatalities, but further investigations revised the figure after some victims initially presumed dead were found alive. The crash occurred shortly after midnight and involved two buses overtaking other vehicles when they collided head-on, causing numerous casualties and severe injuries.
Causes and Immediate Response
Authorities have attributed the tragedy to reckless overtaking and speeding, common factors in Uganda’s road accidents. Emergency crews quickly responded, transporting survivors to nearby hospitals for urgent care. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as rescue operations unfolded, with medical teams and the Red Cross calling the incident unusually severe. Uganda’s President expressed condolences and urged for increased road safety measures to prevent such calamities in the future.
Ongoing Impact and Safety Concerns
This horrific accident highlights persistent challenges in road safety on busy highways in Uganda. It underscores the urgent need for stricter traffic regulations and public awareness campaigns to curb dangerous driving behaviors. Authorities continue investigations while supporting victims’ families amid growing calls for improved transport safety nationwide.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Red Cross
The Red Cross is the world's largest humanitarian network, dedicated to providing emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education globally and domestically. It operates through three main components: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), National Societies in 191 countries, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The organization’s core mission is to help people suffering due to conflict, natural or man-made disasters, and chronic poverty without discrimination[2]. Founded in the 19th century, the Red Cross has a rich history rooted in humanitarian principles established over 60 years ago by the IFRC. The American Red Cross (ARC), chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1905, exemplifies the organization’s work by responding to over 60,000 disasters annually, including fires, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. It provides shelter, food, health and mental health services, and supports military families. The ARC also supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood, teaches life-saving skills, and participates in international humanitarian efforts such as disaster preparedness and migration crisis response[3][4][8]. In 2025, the IFRC’s Global Plan emphasizes reducing the impact of emergencies related to climate, health, and migration, building community resilience, and ensuring inclusive, respectful aid delivery. This plan reflects a strategic approach combining local action with global coordination to address complex humanitarian challenges[1]. Notably, the Red Cross leverages technology and data to enhance disaster response and preparedness, such as multilingual volunteer databases and emergency apps. The organization continually expands volunteer recruitment to meet rising disaster frequency and scale, with almost 275,000 volunteers across the U.S. alone[6][9][10]. The Red Cross’s key achievements include life-saving disaster relief, international humanitarian aid, blood supply management, and innovative preparedness campaigns like the Home Fire Campaign, which has saved over 2,460 lives since 2014. Its ability t
