Malakal, South Sudan | Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 11:27 AM EAT (Local Time)
A devastating road crash along Uganda’s Kampala-Gulu Highway has claimed 63 lives and injured several others, sending shockwaves across East Africa, including here in South Sudan. Reported at 12:15 am today near Kitaleba Village, the incident highlights the region’s ongoing struggle with road safety, a concern felt keenly by communities along shared trade routes.
The collision involved two Isuzu buses—one from Nile Star Coaches (UBF 614X) traveling towards Gulu and another from Planet Company (UAM 045V) heading in the opposite direction—along with a Tata Lorry (UBK 647C) and a Toyota Surf (CGO 5132AB 07). Preliminary reports indicate the crash began when both buses attempted dangerous overtakes, leading to a head-on collision. The ensuing chain reaction caused multiple vehicles to overturn, killing all 63 occupants from the involved vehicles.
Ugandan authorities responded swiftly, rushing the injured to Kiryandongo Hospital and nearby facilities, while the deceased were taken to the mortuary for identification. SP Kananura Michael of the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety pointed to reckless overtaking as a key factor, urging regional cooperation to address the issue.
For South Sudan, where road travel connects Malakal to neighboring countries, this tragedy resonates as a call for improved cross-border safety measures. The Kampala-Gulu Highway is a critical artery for trade and migration, and similar risks loom on local routes. International aid and regional initiatives could play a vital role in upgrading infrastructure and training drivers, a need felt acutely by those monitoring developments from afar.
As families across the region mourn, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the shared challenges facing East African road safety.
The Malakal Press 
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