By Richard Onapatum
Kotido, Uganda – Tragedy struck Kaibo village, Lukitelaebu Town Council, Kotido District, when a conductor lost his life in a freak accident.
A Fuso Fighter truck, registration number UAY199Y, traveling along the Abim-Kotido road experienced a broken rear tire rim. The driver, whose identity remains unknown, parked the vehicle facing Kotido. In an attempt to repair the tire, Nabende Ibrahim, a 38-year-old conductor from Wajembe, Mbale District, positioned the jack under the truck.
Tragically, the jack suddenly loosened, causing the vehicle to fall and crush Nabende beneath it. The conductor died instantly.
District Traffic Officer (DTO) ASP Gweng Walter reported the incident and led a team to visit the scene. “We received a distress call and rushed to the scene,” ASP Walter explained. “Unfortunately, the conductor had already succumbed to his injuries.”
The police team documented the area, drew a sketch plan, and took statements from eyewitnesses. The vehicle remains at the scene, while the driver is still at large.
A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and Nabende’s body has been handed over to his relatives for burial.
This tragic incident highlights the importance of road safety, proper vehicle maintenance, and adherence to safety protocols during repairs.
The police have urged drivers and conductors to exercise caution during repairs and ensure proper safety measures are in place to prevent such tragic incidents