Kampala — Three people, including two school-going children, have died following a single-vehicle crash on the Mpala section of the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway on Monday morning, authorities said.

According to officials from the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway (KEE), the vehicle was travelling from Masaka toward Entebbe International Airport when the accident occurred.

Preliminary findings indicate that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel after a long-distance journey, causing the vehicle to lose control.

 “Earlier today, a single-vehicle crash occurred along the Mpala section of the Expressway. The vehicle was travelling from Masaka towards the Airport when the driver reportedly dozed off due to fatigue after a long-distance journey,” the expressway operator said in a statement seen by ChimpReports.

The Entebbe Expressway authorities confirmed that three occupants died at the scene, while another survivor sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The Ministry of Works and Transport publicist, Allan Ssempebwa, earlier confirmed the crash and said incident response teams from the expressway operator and the Uganda Police Force were deployed to manage the situation.

“A road crash has been reported this morning along the Mpala–Kajjansi section of the Expressway involving one vehicle. Preliminary reports indicate fatalities while some occupants sustained injuries,” Ssempebwa said.

“Finer details will be ascertained later as our incident response teams involving KEE and the Uganda Police are still handling the incident.”

Emergency responders secured the crash scene and managed traffic flow along the busy toll highway as recovery operations were carried out.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, but preliminary information indicates that two of those killed were school-going children.

The Kampala–Entebbe Expressway is Uganda’s first toll road linking Kampala to Entebbe International Airport and carries thousands of vehicles daily.

Officials say the crash highlights the dangers of driver fatigue, particularly among motorists travelling long distances.

Road safety remains a major concern across the country.

According to the Uganda Police Force’s latest crime report, 25,107 road crashes were recorded in 2024, resulting in 25,808 casualties including 5,144 deaths, an increase from previous years. 

Police data also shows that more than 4,400 of those crashes were fatal, underscoring the scale of the road safety challenge in the country. 

Officials say driver fatigue, speeding, and reckless driving remain among the leading causes of accidents on Ugandan roads.

Expressway authorities have urged motorists to rest adequately before embarking on long journeys and to strictly observe speed limits.

“Motorists are reminded to rest fully before long-distance travel, avoid driving while fatigued, and observe speed limits,” the expressway management said.

By ChimpReports