Chaos and screams erupted along the Kisoga–Nyenga Road on Monday evening as a YY Coaches bus exploded into a deadly inferno, leaving at least three people burnt beyond recognition and over 30 others battling for their lives in hospital.
Eyewitnesses in Makindu Village say the Scania bus, loaded with passengers and speeding from Katosi to Jinja, overturned and burst into flames after the driver tried to dodge a boda boda rider who was dangerously crossing the road.
“It was terrifying. The bus rolled, and within moments it was in flames,” one shaken bystander told our reporter.
Police have identified the vehicle as registration UAV 701C, owned by YY Company. Ssezibwa Region Police Spokesperson Hellen Butoto confirmed the horrifying incident early Tuesday, warning that the death toll could rise as detectives are still confirming the number of passengers.
“Three people were burnt beyond recognition. We are working closely with the bus company to establish how many people were on board,” Butoto stated.
Traffic Police mouthpiece Michael Kananura painted a grim picture: “It was a single fatal crash. The bus overturned at Makindu and caught fire. Many were injured and rushed to Kawolo and St. Charles Lwanga Hospitals.”
Rescue operations lasted deep into the night as responders battled the flames and pulled survivors from the wreckage.
Police have pledged to release more information as investigations unfold.
