KIRYANDONGO — Three employees of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) have died in a road accident after the vehicle they were travelling in collided with an elephant along the Karuma section of the Kampala–Gulu highway.
The crash occurred near Murchison Falls National Park, a wildlife-rich area where animals regularly cross roads connecting northern and central Uganda. Authorities said the collision happened when the elephant reportedly strayed onto the highway, leaving the driver with little time to avoid impact.
The force of the collision severely damaged the vehicle and killed three URA staff members. Emergency responders and security personnel rushed to the scene, while traffic police began investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Officials had not immediately released the identities of the victims pending notification of their relatives.
The accident has renewed concerns about safety along the Karuma corridor, which has become notorious for wildlife-related road crashes. The highway passes close to sections of Murchison Falls National Park, exposing motorists to encounters with elephants, buffalo, and other large animals, particularly during the night.
Officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority have in the past warned motorists to slow down when approaching designated wildlife crossing zones. However, conservation experts say increasing traffic volumes and expanding transport infrastructure continue to heighten the risk of collisions.
The latest tragedy comes months after another fatal crash involving an elephant was reported along the same highway, underscoring the challenge of balancing road transport needs with wildlife conservation.
Road safety advocates are once again calling for stronger interventions, including improved lighting, additional warning signs, wildlife fencing and the creation of dedicated crossing points to reduce accidents in the area.
Police said investigations were ongoing and a comprehensive report would be released once inquiries into the crash are concluded.
As authorities work to establish the exact cause of the accident, the deaths of the three URA employees add to a growing list of lives lost on one of Uganda’s busiest and most strategically important highways.