Eleven inmates and four prison warders were seriously injured on Friday when a truck carrying prisoners to Masindi Prison overturned along the Masindi–Kijunjubwa Road.
The accident happened around 3:00 p.m. near Kamurasi Primary School, according to Albertine Region Police spokesperson SP Julius Allan Hakiza.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the vehicle, which had been hired to transport firewood to Masindi Prison, failed to climb a hill near Kamurasi Primary School and rolled backwards, overturning and causing injuries,” Hakiza said.
Police said the driver of the Mitsubishi Fuso truck, identified as Julius Atugonza, fled the scene after the crash. A search has been launched to arrest him as investigations continue to find out what caused the accident.
All the injured were taken to Masindi Hospital under prison guard for treatment.
The injured prison officers were identified as Sgt Emmanuel Nkenkya, Cpl Felix Egaru, L/Cpl Peter Emurwoth, and Warden Peter Aurah.
The injured inmates include Stephen Charles Oryem, John Ainebyona, Godfrey Tata, Brian Akampurira, Innocent Kasamba, Muhammed Muasami, Justus Arinaitwe, Godfrey Immanga, David Okello, Sande Mathias, and Moses Opar.
“The wreckage has been towed to the police yard for inspection,” SP Hakiza added. “A search for the driver is underway, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident.”
The accident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of prisoner transport in Uganda.
Police have asked anyone with information that could help locate the missing driver or explain how the crash happened to come forward.