PRESS RELEASE
ONE POLICE OFFICER DEAD, FOUR OTHERS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN CAR CRASH
This is to inform the general public that yesterday Wednesday 5th July 2017 at around 5pm a joint team of 7 flying squad personnel from Elgon and Bukedi regions got involved in a motor vehicle accident that killed one police officer and injured 6 others, 4 seriously; at Toweyi Hills Kapsinda sub county located 45kms, along Kapchorwa- Mbale high way in Kapchorwa district.
The accident that involved the officers occurred when the brakes of the motor vehicle, a Toyota Hiace, under the registration number UAE 875D failed, forcing the driver to lose control. It over turned several times downhill before it rammed into a tree, instantly killing the driver, No. 59694 CPL Driver Goona Micheal, and seriously injured the 4 other officers that include; ASP Karakya Oris, D/AIP Okello Aggrey, No. 5814 D/SGT Sesaga R Kawoowo, and D/C Mande Tibeijuka the other two remaining officers escaped with minor injuries.
The body of the deceased was transported to Mbale referral hospital for postmortem examination, while the 4 injured officers are receiving medical attention at Elgon and Mbale general hospitals respectively.
We want to clarify that the incident did not at any stage involve the IGP, as speculated in various social media and online platforms, and would like to further warn the media against spreading such unverified and baseless information; but to always cross check for details with the office of the IGP.
We are meanwhile urging all motorists and road users to express caution while driving and also ensure their vehicles are in sound mechanical condition while on road. In addition, our traffic officers have been tasked to intensify their operations and maintain physical presence at this dark sport to help guard against such incidents.
Efforts to retrieve the wreckage from the scene are ongoing. Other exhibits of guns and ammunitions belonging to the team were recovered and kept at Kapchorwa police station. A detailed traffic report will be released in due course upon further investigations.
AIGP Asan Kasingye
Spokesman
Uganda Police
06-07-2017
