Tragedy struck on Monday morning as an American tourist lost his life in a car accident on the Buhoma-Butogota-Kanungu road. The incident occurred at Munyanga Bridge in Kakureiju village, near the border of Buhoma and Butogota town councils. The tourists were returning from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park after a gorilla tracking experience.
Public Relations Officer for the Directorate of Traffic and Safety in the Uganda Police Force, Michael Kananura, identified the deceased as Evan Shuldman Harrison, 40, a resident of New York, USA. Harrison died on the spot when the Toyota Land Cruiser (registration number UAM 271U) they were traveling in developed mechanical issues, failed to brake, lost control, rolled, and plunged into the river.
The injured passengers include; Zachary Avayou, 39, a resident of Pennsylvania, USA. Fredrick Jeremy Wright, 25, a resident of California, USA. Alpha Dadaire, 33, a resident of Wakiso District, Uganda.
Kananura stated that the injured were immediately rushed to Bwindi Community Hospital in Kanungu for medical attention. At the same time, the body of the deceased was transported to the hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
The vehicle’s wreckage was towed to Kihihi Police Station for inspection to determine the exact cause of the mechanical failure.
Bashir Hangi, Communications Manager at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), confirmed the incident, calling it an unfortunate event. “A team of UWA and security officials is following up on the matter,” Hangi stated.
This tragic incident raises concerns about road safety, particularly for tourists visiting Uganda’s remote areas, and highlights the need for strict vehicle maintenance protocols to prevent similar occurrences.
