A devastating accident along the Njeru–Katosi Road has left several people feared dead after a YY Coaches bus, registration number UAV 702J, overturned and burst into flames near Makindu Trading Centre in Najja Sub-county, Buikwe District. The incident, which occurred at approximately 5:00 PM EAT on Monday evening, has sent shockwaves through the community and reignited concerns about road safety in Uganda.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus, which was en route from Katosi to Jinja, lost control before veering off the road, overturning, and catching fire. Dramatic images captured by photojournalist Emma Balukusa for The New Vision show the bus engulfed in towering flames and thick black smoke, with its charred wreckage lying on its side in a ditch. A crowd of onlookers gathered at the scene, some in tears, as emergency responders struggled to contain the blaze and assist survivors.
Preliminary reports from authorities, including a statement from @M_Kananura on X, confirm that the crash resulted in multiple fatalities, though the exact number of casualties remains unclear as investigations continue. Several injured passengers were rushed to nearby medical facilities, including Kawolo Hospital and St. Francis Lwanga Hospital in Buikwe, for urgent treatment. The Uganda Police Force and emergency services are currently working to extinguish the fire and recover the bodies of those who perished in the inferno.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but early speculation points to possible mechanical failure or driver error. Social media reactions have been swift and emotional, with users like @Derrick46594073 calling for the Ministry of Works and Transport ( @MoWT_Uganda) to enforce mandatory inspections on aging vehicles, particularly those operated by YY Coaches. “These buses are very old and in bad shape, but since they belong to connected people, no one cares about passenger safety,” the user wrote. Others, such as @williamolibs, expressed frustration with YY Coaches’ fleet, stating, “That company only has old buses. I’d rather use Gateway or Postbus.”
This tragedy adds to a troubling pattern of road accidents involving YY Coaches. Historical reports, such as a 2019 article from The Independent, reveal that the company has faced scrutiny in the past for reckless driving and poor vehicle maintenance, with police even threatening to revoke its operating license after a series of deadly crashes. The incident also underscores Uganda’s broader road safety crisis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda has one of the highest traffic-related fatality rates in East Africa, at 29 deaths per 100,000 people annually, often attributed to inadequate road infrastructure, lax regulatory enforcement, and the poor condition of public transport vehicles.
Public sentiment on X reflects a mix of grief and anger. @kyeruphiona lamented the increasing frequency of accidents, writing, “What’s happening? So many accidents these days,” while @topUGcitizen criticized the lack of accountability, stating, “Naye YY yaba ki? And tomorrow they’ll remain operational, business as usual. I hate this country.” Others, like @KevinHeenz, expressed gratitude for their own safety, noting, “I used this road yesterday. We should always thank God whenever we reach home safely.”
As investigations proceed, authorities are expected to release more details about the cause of the crash and the official casualty figures. For now, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for improved road safety measures in Uganda, from stricter vehicle inspections to better driver training and infrastructure development. The nation mourns the lives lost in this preventable tragedy, and questions linger about whether meaningful change will finally take hold.