Three Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) staff members have died after the vehicle they were traveling in crashed into an elephant along the Kampala–Gulu highway near Karuma, authorities said.
The fatal accident occurred on Monday morning near Murchison Falls National Park, a conservation area whose wildlife corridors intersect with one of Uganda’s busiest highways.
According to preliminary reports, the URA vehicle was traveling through the Karuma stretch when it collided with an elephant that had crossed onto the road. The impact left the vehicle badly mangled and killed three occupants instantly.
“Three (03) people died and four (04) others sustained injuries following a fatal road crash involving motor vehicle registration number UA 20121AA (Toyota Hiace) & a crossing elephant,” police said in a statement.
The crash, the report added, “occurred on the night of 24th May 2026 at approximately 8:00 p.m. along the Arua road within Murchison Falls National Park in Nwoya District.”
Also Read: US Blocks Visas for Travelers Linked to Uganda and 2 other African Countries
Traffic police and officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority responded to the scene and began investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The identities of the deceased were not immediately disclosed pending notification of their next of kin.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the untimely passing of two of our colleagues, Robert Lumanyika Wamala and Moses Adola, who lost their lives in a tragic road accident on Sunday, 24th May 2026 along the Kampala, West Nile Highway.
The accident occurred at about 8:00 p.m as the team travelled back to Kampala from official duty in Arua; their vehicle reportedly collided with an elephant crossing the road,” URA said in a statement.
The Karuma section of the highway has repeatedly been the scene of accidents involving wildlife due to its proximity to Murchison Falls National Park. Conservation officials have previously identified the area as one of the country’s most active wildlife crossing points, particularly for elephants moving between feeding and breeding grounds.
Animal collisions in Uganda
Over the years, several motorists have lost their lives in collisions involving large animals along the route. The incidents have sparked concerns among road safety advocates, who argue that increasing traffic volumes on the Kampala–Gulu highway have heightened the risk of encounters between vehicles and wildlife.
While warning signs have been erected in several sections of the road, conservationists maintain that more comprehensive interventions are needed. Proposals have included wildlife underpasses, speed-control measures, and technology-based animal detection systems to reduce the likelihood of future tragedies.
Monday’s crash has once again highlighted the challenge of balancing wildlife conservation with transport infrastructure development in areas surrounding national parks. Uganda’s elephant population has been recovering in recent years, resulting in increased movement of animals within and around protected areas.
Also Read: Anita Among, the Accountant Who Rose to Become Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament
Police said investigations into the crash were ongoing and a detailed report would be released once all facts had been established.
The deaths of the three URA staff members have cast a spotlight on the continuing dangers faced by motorists traveling through wildlife corridors, where a split-second encounter can have fatal consequences.
“Motorists are strongly urged to exercise extreme caution while driving through national parks and wildlife-protected areas especially during night hours and to strictly observe speed limits to avoid such incidents,” police warned.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
