NWOYA, UGANDA: The family of the late Minister Charles Okello Engola Macodwogo is mourning the demise of their two in-laws who yesterday perished in an accident while returning from the burial ceremony.
The fatal accident occurred at a place called Ayago in Murchison Falls Park Nwoya District as the in-laws and other mourners returned from the burial of the late Engola who was laid to rest on Saturday, May 13 at Awangi village in Oyam district.
The deceased were identified as Dinah Tiperu Afayoa and a boy only known as Deyia; both residents of Ayibiri Cell in Oluko Ward, Ayivu East Division, Arua City, where the late Minister’s wife Joyce Engola hails from.
The MP Ayivu East Division, Mr Geoffrey Feta confirmed the report and said the duo who died on the spot were aboard a tipper lorry that had transported several mourners from Arua to Oyam for the burial.
“We lost two occupants of a tipper lorry. Two critical cases have been referred to Gulu and one is already in transit but on oxygen. Referring the survivors to Arua Regional Referral Hospital would be tricky since they may not make it to Arua due to bad road conditions and the distance involved.”
He confirmed that the bodies were transported to Anaka Hospital mortuary for post-mortem, adding that three other mourners sustained critical injuries and are admitted at Gulu Hospital while five survivors have been transferred to Lacor Hospital.
According to the Annual Crime Report 2022, the country registered 20,394 cases of road accidents in 2022, compared to 17,443 cases registered the previous year.
Out of every 100 crashes, 22 people died, while 61 per cent of all accidents were the result of reckless driving.