A bus driver has died and six passengers are fighting for their lives after their vehicle collided with a wandering elephant on a notorious stretch of road in Uganda.
The horror crash occurred at around 1.30am near Karuma when the passenger bus was travelling from Gulu to Kampala on a route known for deadly wildlife encounters.
Shocking pictures from the scene show the front of the bus completely mangled by the force of impact with the massive African elephant, which fled into the darkness after the collision.
The driver is believed to have died instantly when the windscreen and front section of the vehicle caved in from the brutal impact. Six other passengers were rushed to hospital in critical condition, whilst several others suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, according to New Vision.
Hunt for Injured Elephant
Officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) confirmed the fatal crash was caused by a wandering elephant that stepped out in front of the bus. The animal was reportedly part of a herd of at least four African elephants crossing the busy highway.
Teams from UWA are now actively searching for the injured elephant to assess its condition and provide any necessary veterinary care after the devastating collision.
“Our teams are working to locate the elephant to check on its welfare,” a UWA spokesperson said. “We need to ensure the animal receives appropriate care if injured.”
The bus wreckage has been impounded and taken to Dima Police Station as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the deadly crash.
Notorious Wildlife Crossing Point
The Karuma area has become infamous for human-wildlife conflicts, with the long stretch of the Gulu-Kampala highway serving as a regular crossing point for animals from nearby protected areas.
Just last November, a similar shocking incident saw a truck driver kill an elephant after speeding through Karuma national park. The area borders several wildlife reserves where elephants and other large animals frequently cross between protected habitats.
African elephants, which can grow to over 13 feet tall with adult males weighing upwards of 11,000kg (£8,600), pose a significant danger when they wander onto roads, particularly during night-time hours when visibility is limited.
Renewed Calls for Safety Measures
The latest tragedy has sparked renewed calls for better safety measures along the busy transport corridor, with both local officials and the bus company demanding urgent action to prevent future deaths.
They have called for electric fences or protective trenches to be installed along the Gulu-Kampala highway to deter roaming animals from crossing into the path of vehicles.
“Wild animals are known to use this stretch as a crossover point, which means they can often cause serious accidents,” a local official said. “We need proper barriers to protect both human lives and wildlife.”
Electric Fencing Programme
The Uganda Wildlife Authority has already begun implementing electric fencing in some areas as a sustainable measure to prevent animals from leaving protected areas where they can destroy crops or cause accidents.
UWA has constructed 101 kilometres of electric fence around Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks, with the first 10-kilometre pilot project commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni in August 2019.
“Electric fencing has proven effective because once an elephant has tested its power, it will never come back,” said Selvest Masereka, an assistant warden with UWA.
The fences use high-energy, low-impedance pulses that deliver a sharp but safe shock to deter animals without causing permanent harm.
Growing Human-Wildlife Conflict
Uganda currently receives an average of 100 problem animal cases weekly, with 98 per cent involving crop destruction by elephants and other wildlife. The increasing elephant population, whilst a conservation success, has led to more frequent conflicts with human communities.
The tragedy highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing wildlife conservation with human safety in a country where protected areas often border busy transport routes and farming communities.
Local communities have experimented with various deterrents, from chilli peppers to acoustic devices like vuvuzelas and diesel barrel drums, but these methods require constant human monitoring and have proven less effective than physical barriers.
As investigations continue into this latest fatal encounter, pressure is mounting on authorities to accelerate the installation of protective measures along Uganda’s wildlife corridors before more lives are lost in these devastating collisions.
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