Makerere University is mourning the loss of Ms. Zamida Majid, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics student who was among the 46 people killed in a gruesome pre-dawn road crash along the Kampala–Gulu Highway — one of Uganda’s deadliest accidents in recent years.
The tragedy occurred at around 12:15 a.m. on Wednesday, at Kitaleba Village, near Asili Farm in Kyankwanzi District, involving two passenger buses and two other vehicles.
According to the Uganda Police Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, the vehicles included a Nile Star Coaches bus (UBF 614X), a Tata lorry (UBK 647C), a Toyota Surf (CGO 5132AB), and a Planet Bus Company Isuzu bus (UAM 045V).
Makerere Confirms the Loss
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Dean of Students, Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, confirmed that Zamida Majid was among those who perished in the crash.
“We have learnt that Ms. Zamida Majid was among those who perished in the gruesome accident along the Kampala–Gulu highway on October 22, 2025. She was part of the 2021/2022 cohort for a Bachelor’s degree of Arts in Economics. Condolences to her family and friends. May she RIP.”
The message has since sparked an outpouring of grief across the Makerere community, with students and lecturers expressing shock at the sudden loss.
One of Uganda’s Worst Road Disasters
Police described the collision as “devastating,” noting that early investigations point to reckless overtaking and fatigue among the bus drivers. The crash left dozens of passengers trapped in the wreckage, with emergency responders working through the night to retrieve bodies and rescue survivors.
Images from the scene show mangled metal and debris scattered across the road — a grim reminder of the country’s worsening road safety crisis.
Traffic authorities have since vowed to tighten enforcement of night travel regulations and driver rest periods, citing the frequency of fatal crashes involving long-distance buses.
Friends described Zamida as a bright and disciplined student, known for her warm personality and strong work ethic.
“She was always focused and kind — someone you’d count on both in class and in life,” said one of her classmates. “We were preparing for exams, and now we’re preparing for her burial. It’s heartbreaking.”
The university has pledged to support Zamida’s family with funeral arrangements and counseling services for affected students. A memorial service is being organized at Makerere University Main Hall, with dates to be communicated.
As Uganda mourns the 46 lives lost, including one of its brightest young scholars, questions linger over road safety enforcement and whether this tragedy could have been prevented.
For now, Makerere grieves a student whose future was cut short — a reminder that behind every statistic lies a story of dreams unfulfilled.
May Ms. Zamida Majid’s soul rest in eternal peace.
