Mityana district is mourning the loss of a senior police officer following a tragic road accident on the Mityana-Mubende highway.
The incident, which occurred on March 6, 2025, claimed the life of Inspector of Police (IP) Namanya Nelson, a 48-year-old officer who served as the head of the Kisita Field Force Unit (FFU) detachment in Kassanda district.
According to a police statement, the accident took place at around 8:00 PM at Buswabulongo, involving a Renault truck (registration UBJ 394S / UAD 535Q) and a Yamaha motorcycle (registration UP 8016) ridden by IP Namanya. The truck painted white and blue, had developed a mechanical fault earlier that day while traveling toward Mubende. Its driver, whose identity remains unknown, parked the vehicle on the left side of the road but failed to place any warning signs, leaving it a hidden hazard for other road users.
IP Namanya, riding his police-issued motorcycle, collided with the rear of the stationary truck.
The impact left him gravely injured, and despite being rushed to Mityana Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries upon arrival. The officer, a resident of Kisita Barracks in Kassanda district, leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication.
SP Racheal Kawala, the Wamala Region Police Public Relations Officer, expressed dismay over the incident, attributing it to negligence.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the truck driver’s careless or inconsiderate parking, without any warning signs, led to this tragic loss,” she said.
IP Namanya’s fatal crash is not an isolated incident. According to the Uganda Police Force’s 2024 crime report, motorcyclists accounted for 1,720 deaths last year a worrying 13.2% increase from 2023. This highlights the growing dangers they face on Ugandan roads.
Kawala further added, “Efforts are underway to arrest the driver, and we urge all motorists to carry reflector triangles to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Police data also shows that accidents involving parked vehicles, like the improperly secured truck that Namanya crashed into, accounted for 1.6% of all road crashes in 2024. Officials warn that such incidents could be avoided if drivers properly signaled hazards, reducing risks for unsuspecting motorists, especially at night.
