Jinja-Kampala highway accident victims looted amidst cries for help

The accident happened on Tuesday afternoon near Nile Breweries at Nile Village, Njeru Central Division, Njeru Municipal Council in Buikwe District.

According to a witness, one Charles Zziwa, a motorcyclist at Nile Breweries Limited stage, the truck was carrying bags of cement towards Njeru from Kayunga side. The truck driver lost control and rammed into the taxi which was headed towards Mbale.

Ssezibwa Region Police spokesperson Hellen Butoto confirmed that the deceased were unidentified at the scene, while the injured were in critical condition to identify themselves. The few who were identified include: Elvis Mandu, 26, Merab Adong, 20, and one identified only as Kato.

“The other eight injured persons are yet to be identified as they are unable to speak due to severe injuries,” Butoto said.

Jinja-Kampala highway accident victims looted amidst cries for help Pulse

However, before police and the army arrived to secure the scene, multiple sources said that a couple of first responders were seen stealing from the victims who were still trapped in the wreckage.

It is alleged that while survivors cried for help, looters made off with mattresses, mobile phones, bags.

Some of the eyewitnesses who spoke to this reporter said they saw some people taking away mattresses, bags and mobile phones as survivors pleaded for help.

All victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment and postmortem, respectively.

“The injured persons have been rushed to Jinja hospital and Nile international hospital respectively for treatment while the six dead bodies have all been conveyed to Jinja hospital mortuary pending postmortem examination," Butoto added.

The mechanical remains from the motor vehicles are parked at Njeru police station yard for the Inspector of Vehicles as investigations continue.