By Delux Emmy Alomu
SOROTI CITY
Police in Soroti City are investigating a tragic traffic crash that took the life of 30-year-old Esther Agato near the Lale Road Junction along the Soroti-Lira Highway.
The incident occurred around 12:25 PM on Monday, April 11th, 2026, and involved a Sino Truck Howo trailer, with registration numbers UBS 411B and UBS 199H, two Bajaj Boxer motorcycles—registration numbers UGG 732Y and UDR 059B—and a pedestrian.
Initial investigations by law enforcement suggest that the rider of motorcycle UGG 732Y attempted to branch off just before reaching the junction and collided with another motorcycle, UDR 059B, that was coming in the opposite direction.
ACP Hajji Ibrahim Saiga, the regional police commander for East Kyoga, confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the collision led the second motorcycle to lose control and crash into the trailer.
Tragically, the impact instantly claimed the life of pedestrian Agato, while the riders and passengers on the motorcycles suffered minor injuries and were promptly taken to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.
Saiga said police secured and documented the scene, taken statements from witnesses, and impounded all involved vehicles for further inspection.
The body of the deceased has been taken to Soroti Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination, and all road users, particularly motorists and motorcyclists, are advised to drive cautiously, adhere to traffic regulations, and avoid reckless behavior at junctions to prevent such tragedies.
“We urge all road users, especially motorists and motorcycle riders, to exercise caution, observe traffic regulations, and avoid reckless maneuvers, particularly at junctions, to prevent such tragic incidents,” he said
Referencing the annual crime report released by the Uganda Police Force, road traffic crashes increased by 3.7% in 2025 compared to 2024. The number of serious crashes rose by 3.3%, from 13,134 in 2024 to 13,563 in 2025. Fatal crashes increased by 3.8%, from 4,434 in 2024 to 4,602 in 2025, while minor crashes rose by 4.5%, from 7,539 in 2024 to 7,879 in 2025.
Works Ministry spokesperson Susan Kataike recently urged motorists to be responsible on the road to address the issue.
