By Ivan Mwine
The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) have finally opened about the terrible accident that happened on Monday, which left five inmates dead and several warders injured.
According to the Prisons authorities, the horrible incident, which occurred along the Kampala-Gulu highway, happened at a time when the inmates from Butuntumula Prison were being taken to collect firewood.
This was revealed in a statement by Ag. Commissioner of Prisons Moses Ssentalo, the Assistant Public Relations Officer (UPS), who revealed that preliminary investigations indicate that the accident was caused by a Toyota Wish car that was driving from the opposite direction, which collided with the Prisons truck.
Ssentalo said thus; “At around 9:00AM on May 30th, a road accident involving a Uganda Prisons Tata Lorry Reg. UG. 0363U occurred along the Kampala-Gulu Highway at a place called Nalongo in Luwero District.
On board were prisoners and staff who were proceeding for firewood to be used in the preparation of prisoners’ food. Preliminary investigations attribute the cause of the accident to a Saloon Toyota Wish Reg. UGB 587 which had a tyre bust and lost control as it was approaching the prison truck. Unfortunately, five (05) prisoners lost their lives in the accident and their bodies were taken to Kasaana Hospital Mortuary in Luweero.”
He added that’ “A joint team of health workers from Kasaana Hopsital and Prisons quickly intervened and provided the necessary medical interventions to the staff and prisoners who sustained injuries. Further investigations surrounding this incident have commenced and more details to follow soon. We condole with the families of the deceased.”
However, Ssentalo did not divulge details of about the identities of the deceased and whether or not their families will be compensated by government for the loss of their lives.
He also didn’t give details about the fate of the occupants of the Toyota Wish car that rammed into the Prisons truck and whether they died or not.
