Police in Kassanda District in central Uganda have detained a Chinese national for allegedly knocking two pupils dead in a Tuesday morning road crash that left three others seriously hurt.
Police said Zhao Haizhanga who was driving a Toyota Hilux registration number UAU 001V knocked the pupils at Kamusenene village along Lubaali- Bukuya road in Kassanda District, as he attempted to overtake a truck loaded with logs.
The victims and survivors were heading to Glory Nursery and Primary School, Kamusenene.
Wamala regional police spokesperson, ASP Racheal Kawala identified the deceased as Jonathan Matovu, 5, and Buriana Nantongo, 6.
The injured who are yet to be identified were taken to Mityana General Hospital for treatment, while Matovu and Nantongo’s bodies were taken to Kassanda Health Centre IV pending postmortem.
By the rime of filing this story, Haizhanga was being detained at Kassanda central police station, according to ASP Kawala.
The wreckage of the vehicle he was driving was also parked at Bukuya police station as investigations continue.
According to the Annual Crime Report 2022 which was released a month ago, the country registered 20,394 cases of road accidents in 2022 compared to 17,443 registered in 2021. The Police said that out of every 100 crashes, 22 people died while 61 per cent of all accidents were as a result of reckless driving, the police said.
