Journalist Julius Kitone Among Eight Killed in Mbarara-Lyantonde Highway Crash

Police in Kiruhura District have registered a fatal road crash at Kibega I Village along the Mbarara–Lyantonde highway.

The accident occurred on Thursday, February 13, 2026, at around 6:30 pm, involving a Toyota Hiace (registration number UBQ 016U, white in colour) and a Mercedes Benz Actros trailer (registration numbers KDQ 668L / ZH 5133), which collided head-on.

According to police, eight people died on the spot, while one victim was critically injured and rushed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for treatment. All the victims were occupants of the Toyota Hiace.

Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson Kasasira Samson said preliminary investigations indicate that the Toyota Hiace was travelling from Mbarara towards Lyantonde, while the trailer was heading in the opposite direction.

“It is alleged that the driver of the Toyota Hiace attempted to overtake at a corner and encroached into the trailer’s lane, leading to a head-on collision,” Kasasira said.

By press time, four bodies remained trapped in the wreckage, with rescue teams working to retrieve them. Police said efforts were also underway to identify the deceased and notify their next of kin.

Kasasira attributed the cause of the accident to reckless driving on the part of the Toyota Hiace driver, adding that investigations are ongoing.

The accident comes barely a week after six people died in a crash at Kyakatebe in Kasanda District, where a taxi rammed into a stationary bus belonging to Link Company.