In a heartfelt gesture of sympathy and support, State House has extended its condolences to the grieving families affected by the tragic accident during the Busoga royal wedding celebration. Each family who lost a loved one in the unfortunate incident has received Shs5 million as a token of support from President Yoweri Museveni.
The incident unfolded on November 18, during the joyous union of Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope and Ms Jovia Mutesi at Christ’s Cathedral, Bugembe, in Jinja North City Division. The celebration took a devastating turn when a driver, trailing the Kyabazinga’s convoy from Kamuli to Bugembe, lost control and plowed into a crowd at Nawantumbi Trading Centre along the Kamuli-Jinja Highway. The tragic incident claimed the lives of nine individuals and left 23 orphans.
The victims, including Kevin Abbo, Lubaale Waiswa, Amisi Mutakubwa, Zalika Mutesi, Timothy Basooma, Emma Gwaalya, Catherine Katono, Godfrey Isabirye, and Stephen Waiswa, were remembered as their families grappled with the aftermath.
Earlier, the Busoga kingdom, through the Chief Prince of Bugabula chiefdom, had offered Shs1 million to each bereaved family. State House, in a further show of solidarity, dispatched Shs45 million to be distributed among the families of the victims.
Ms Rose Birungi, the Kamuli Resident District Commissioner, along with her deputy, Ms Sarah Kasadha, and Kamuli LC5 chairperson, Mr Maxwell Kuwembula, personally delivered the funds door-to-door. Ms Birungi conveyed President Museveni's condolences, stating, “Mzee shares the grief and loss with the families of his Bazukulu (grandchildren); this is just a token of condolence as a father to support his Bazukulu and the widows over the unfortunate incident.”
She reassured the families that Kamuli Woman Member of Parliament and First Deputy Prime Minister, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, was actively pursuing further facilitation for the survivors.
Mr Hamza Mudaagi, a 55-year-old widower, expressed his gratitude for the support, appreciating the efforts of the police in apprehending the driver. He used part of the initial Shs1 million from the Kyabazinga to start rebuilding his wife's business, and now with the Shs5 million, he plans to complete the structure and restock it.
As the affected families continue to cope with the aftermath of this tragedy, the support from State House serves as a beacon of hope during these challenging times.
