2 Ugandans die, 15 injured in Nimule accident
September 11, 2013 (GULU) – Several Ugandan passengers remain in hospital in Nimule after a fatal car accident in Monday night left two dead and 15 injured.
Ugandan police spokesman Jimmy Okema said the accident, which occurred about three kilometres before Nimule town, involved a lorry on its way from South Sudan to Uganda laden with a cargo of hides and skins when the driver lost control after the truck’s breaking system reportedly failed.
“The lorry was in a slope when the driver lost control and two people died on the spot while 15 were injured”, Okema said in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.
Two ambulances were dispatched to the scene to transport the injured to Uganda for treatment, but only three were well enough to travel, the police spokesman said.
The remainder of the injured Ugandans are currently still receiving treatment in Nimule hospital.
Following the incident, Ugandan police advised all drivers to service their vehicles regularly in order to avoid accidents that arise due to mechanical failures.
A boost in trade between Uganda and South Sudan has seen an increase in the traffic along the road that connects the two countries.
Accidents are a regular occurrence on the road, most of which are blamed on poor road conditions on the Ugandan side of the border, while on the South Sudan side of the road, which has been tarmacked, speed is often the main factor.
A major road upgrade on the Ugandan side is being constructed at a cost of $100 million and is expected to further boost trade upon its completion.
(ST)