By Bill Dan Arnold Borodi
In a memo issued earlier today by the Guild Government of Uganda Christian University (UCU) signed by Guild President Samantha Akakunda Mwesigye, the university announced the passing of Murungi Laurine (LLB 2) and Britney Sarah Treasure (Data Science 1:2). The two reportedly died on spot following a fatal accident yesterday evening along Bweyogerere road next to Shire Petrol Station.
In a separate message to the student community, the Director of Student Affairs (DOSA) Pamela Tuwembaze urged students to remain cautious on the roads, “Please be careful, my dear friends. Encourage your friends to be careful. Let’s pray for protection as we take caution. The devil is a liar,” she said.
According to Salome Nakitte, a social work student and close friend of Murungi, the deceased had mentioned she was heading to Acacia Mall to attend a party. At around 4 p.m, Murungi was seen buying sweets while dressed for the outing “I asked her not to go,” Nakitte recalls.
It is believed that Murungi later went to pick up her friend Treasure, with whom she proceeded to Kampala.
Nakitte recounts that around 9 p.m, while she was with the custodian of Precious Hostel, they received a phone call enquiring whether they knew Murungi. It was then that they learned of the tragic crash that claimed the lives of both students.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that a taxi, while attempting to overtake another vehicle, lost control and knocked the motorcycle carrying the two students, throwing them near Shire petrol station Bweyogerere. The boda boda rider also died instantly while the taxi driver fled the scene immediately after the collision.
According to a flyer shared in the class representatives group, burial arrangements for Murungi had been released. A vigil is scheduled for today at Benon Mugume’s home in Mbarara followed by a church service tomorrow at 9 a.m at St. Peter’s Kakoba. A second vigil will be held later in the evening with burial expected on October 26 at Mugume’s home in Ntungamo.
In a separate tragic development, Apio Consolate, who was expected to graduate today, has also been reported dead following the Kiryandongo accident that claimed 46 lives of Ugandans this week.
Recent statistics from the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2024 reveal a worrying surge in road traffic accidents. The country recorded 24,728 crashes last year—an increase of 6.4% from 2023 with 4,179 classified as fatal. These accidents claimed over 4,400 lives and left thousands injured.
Motorcycles, commonly known as boda bodas, were involved in over 40% of all crashes, making them the leading contributors to road fatalities. The report cites reckless driving, overspeeding and careless overtaking as the top causes of accidents.
