At least 12 mobile members of Gulu main market vendor’s association who were today heading to a weekly market in Lungulu sub county in Nwoya district got injured after they were suddenly involved in a fatal road crash.
These traders were boarding white Fuso fighter lorry registration number UBF859P, which was being manned by one Ochola Kicele Joe alias Lamony.
The incident happened at around 9:10 am at a customs corner in the compound of the Blessed petrol station located in Bardege-Layibi division Gulu city.
Patrick Omaya the chairperson of the Gulu Main Market Vendor Association confirmed the incident describing it as “unfortunate”
The Traffic and road safety department of Gulu CPS has identified the injured as; Aye Stella, aged 40, Okeny Pope, aged 40, Sserunjogo Faruk, aged 25, Nakabuye Hajala, aged 35.
Other victims were Ojuka Jimmy Kado, 38 Niringiye Ronald, aged 28, AKello Jenifer, aged 37, Akumu Betty, aged 26, Abdalla Aziz, aged and Acan Concy, aged 37.
However, two victims were only identified as Owagi, aged 40, and Eunice, aged 30 Meanwhile others are yet to be identified.
Ochola Lacelle Joe, the driver told police that the brake system failed him when he approached Custom corner round making it harder for him to negotiate the corner prompting him to veer off road and fell within the compound of Blessed Petrol station injuring its occupants.
The victims were evacuated to St. Mary hospital Lacor Hospital for medical attention.
Meanwhile the Lorry was towed and parked at the Gulu West police parking yard pending IOV Inspection.
David Ongom Mudong, the Aswa west police spokesperson says they have released the driver on police bond to proceed for treatment as more inquiries continue.
The police condemn the use of Cargo trucks in Dangerous Mechanical Conditions which are in most cases overloaded and over speeding to transport market venders as it endangers their lives.
Similarly, last year on 1 November 2022, four members of Gulu main market were killed on the spot when a Canter Vehicle Registration number UBF 743B they were traveling on board lost control and overturned along Walter Opwonya Road in Bardege-Layibi division at around 9:30 pm.
These vendors were returning from a mobile market in Lutuk Market in Koch Goma in Nwoya district.
Gulu Main Market vendor’s association has a total of 31 registered vehicles which take Mobile traders to various markets outside Gulu city.
However due to strict rules set by the market authority 11 vehicles have reportedly abandoned loading from within the market leaving only 20 Vehicle loading from within the market.
The market has a total of 4,000 registered members of which a total of 1,500 members are mobile traders who move from place to place with merchandise for selling.
