One dead, 17 injured after Makome bus from Gulu to Kampala rammed into elephants

25 August 2025, 12:56 pm

By Emmy Daniel Ojara

One person was confirmed dead on Monday and seventeen others injured after a bus belonging to Makome Bus Company rammed into a herd of elephants crossing the Kampala–Gulu Highway.

The deceased was identified as 53-year-old Patrick Okema, the driver of the Isuzu bus, registration number UAR 339M, which was travelling from Gulu City to Kampala.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning at Gwala III Village in Kiryandongo District.

Okema died on arrival at hospital, while the injured are receiving treatment at different health facilities.

Police have identified the survivors as:

1. Eric Opio, a resident of Gulu
2. Esther Grace Olara, a resident of Gulu
3. Justine Nanyombi, a resident of Ndeeba, Kampala
4. Francis Oyet, a resident of Gulu
5. Margaret Lacar, a resident of Gulu
6. Patrick Lubangakene, from Gulu
7. Denis Arweny, from Patongo, Agago District
8. Christopher Ojok, from Gulu
9. Ivan Oloya, from Gulu
10. Benjamin Ssetyabule, from Entebbe
11. Francis Lwanga, from Gaza
12. Valence Ndibwami, from Ggobelo, Wakiso District
13. Robinson Ongwek, from Gulu
14. Peter Okwera, from Gulu
15. Sarah Anena, from Gulu
16. Martin Ocen, from Gulu
17. Bosco Otema, from Pece, Gulu

The injured have been taken to Karuma Restoration Gateway Hospital and Kiryandongo Hospital.