MPIGI, Uganda – Residents of Mpambire Village in Mpigi District are demanding urgent government intervention and stricter enforcement of traffic laws following another serious road crash involving a heavy commercial truck along the busy Kampala–Masaka Highway.
The calls come after a trailer transporting fertilizer from Kenya to Rwanda reportedly lost control at Nakyetema and veered off the road, leaving one resident critically injured. The victim later underwent an amputation after sustaining severe leg injuries in the crash.
The Kampala–Masaka Highway is one of Uganda’s most important transport corridors, serving both domestic and regional trade by connecting the country to neighboring markets. However, residents say the road has increasingly become a hotspot for accidents involving heavy cargo trucks.
According to eyewitnesses, the trailer, registration number ZD 0842, was travelling from Kampala towards Masaka when the driver reportedly lost control near a section where a banana truck had earlier broken down and stopped for repairs.
Residents said the trailer swerved while attempting to avoid vehicles around the breakdown scene before striking a man who was helping mechanics repair the disabled truck.
Witnesses reported that the victim was among a group of people working on the roadside when the trailer crashed into the area, causing devastating injuries.
The latest incident has reignited concerns among residents, who accuse some truck drivers of reckless driving, excessive speeding, and failure to observe road safety regulations.
“Many of these truck drivers behave as if they are the only road users. They drive at high speeds and endanger the lives of other people. We have lost many residents because of their recklessness,” some residents said.
Community members also argued that the Kampala–Masaka Highway is struggling to cope with the growing volume of heavy commercial traffic and called on the government to consider expanding the road while strengthening traffic enforcement measures.
They noted that frequent accidents are often linked to speeding trucks, narrow sections of the highway, sharp bends, and poor visibility during rainy weather.
Mpigi Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Shads Mwanje acknowledged the concerns and warned that authorities would intensify operations targeting motorists who violate traffic regulations.
“We have repeatedly advised drivers of heavy trucks to obey traffic laws, but many continue to ignore the guidelines. Some of them travel long distances and drive while tired. We are now going to strengthen enforcement measures to ensure compliance and reduce accidents,” Mwanje said.
Emergency responders rushed the injured victim to hospital before he was referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for specialized treatment.
Police and other authorities have since launched investigations to establish the exact cause of the crash and determine whether any traffic offences were committed.
The latest accident adds to growing concerns about road safety along the Kampala–Masaka Highway, where local leaders and residents continue to push for stronger enforcement and infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing fatalities and protecting road users.
