70 passengers survived a Train accident in Mukono.

Traffic was disrupted on the road from Mukono to Katosi,  at Namumira village in Mukono Central Division,  Mukono Municipality.

This happened when a bus belonging to Trinity Express Bus, registration number RAH 629B, carrying 70 passengers travelling from Kenya to Rwanda, collided with Train 73432 that was going to transport people from  Namumira station at around 6:00 AM.

Fortunately, no one died in this accident, and the passengers who were in the bus were seen stranded on the roadside. Some of those we spoke to explained how they survived the crash, saying the problem was caused by the bus driver, who was under the influence of intoxicating substances.

One of the survivors, identified as George, told New Vision that they were driving from Nairobi. The bus actually set off at around 4.30 Nairobi time, driving to Kigali.

He added that the bus company has its own arrangements that they are trying to make. And by that time, already, people were driving from Nairobi to Kampala; they had already gone to Kampala. And the company was making arrangements for the people who were driving to Kigali to continue.

Kajuna Benon, Managing Director of Uganda Railways Corporation, says that no one died in this accident. There has been a very big effect on locomotives and one coach. The locomotive has actually been affected highly. But luckily enough, nobody has died. The train, the bus service that hit our train, was coming from Nairobi, going to Kigali

He added that the locomotive has been damaged. And as the law of railways applies, the owner of the bus will definitely come and compensate the railways because it has actually hit the train.

Kajuna says that they are getting heavy cranes because the locomotive has moved away from the railroad and has gone on the main road facing Mukono. So they had to have a heavy crane, a gantry crane, which would lift our crane back on the railway.

He went on and apologised to the passengers because this had affected their passenger service this morning. And because of this accident, they are unable to provide a passenger service this morning.

But they are working around the clock to make sure that we are able to restore the passenger services by the evening. Thank you. How long is it going to take? Because now we are relying on the train.

Those who witnessed the accident as it happened said the problem was caused by the driver, who was speeding toward Kampala. Some residents blamed the railway authorities for not putting up warning signs, and also criticised the police officers for not indicating that the train was crossing the road.

It is reported that the driver of this bus, Gulya Elat, was arrested by the police, while Munyarurembo Henry was the operator of the train.

Kampala Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed the accident and stated that, fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident. He also confirmed that the bus driver was arrested and is currently being held at Kyetume Police Station.