Uganda’s Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Pece–Laroo MP hopeful, Norbert Mao, has confirmed he is safe after witnessing a fatal road accident on Sunday night along the Bombo highway.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mao said the crash happened at around 7:00 p.m. in Kalule, Bombo (Luweero District) when a lorry rammed into a security pickup escorting Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Huda Oleru.
Mao clarified that none of his convoy vehicles was involved, but his team stopped to assist the victims.
“We rescued the escorts with help from locals and travellers and rushed the injured to Bombo Military Hospital,” Mao said.
He revealed that the impact killed a soldier instantly, while another died upon arrival at the hospital. Several others are currently receiving treatment.
Mao added that he immediately contacted Defence Minister Oboth Oboth, who instructed medical personnel at Bombo Military Hospital to handle the emergency. He also reached out to Minister Oleru, whose vehicle was not part of the crash.
The minister thanked bystanders and his security team for acting as first responders and sent heartfelt condolences to the families of the two fallen soldiers.
The tragic incident adds to growing fears about Uganda’s worsening road safety record. According to the 2024 Annual Traffic Police Report, the country recorded over 23,000 road accidents last year, resulting in more than 4,800 deaths.
The Kampala–Gulu highway, especially the Bombo stretch, remains one of the deadliest routes due to speeding, heavy traffic, and constant interaction between civilian cars and military convoys.
Pedestrians, boda riders, and security escorts remain the most at-risk groups, with human error and reckless driving accounting for over 70% of fatal crashes.
Mao urged the public to stay calm and reassured them that he is fine:
“I’m well. We only did our civic duty to assist the victims.”
Police are still investigating the cause of the collision.
