A 26-year-old medical intern has lost his life in the early hours of Sunday, succumbing to a fatal accident caused by a neglected pothole in Rukungiri district, Uganda. The victim, identified as Austin Abaho, a dedicated intern at Nyakibale Hospital residing in Kebisoni Village, met his untimely end due to the perilous state of the roads.
As per official reports, Abaho departed Nyakibale Hospital around 1:25 am, riding his motorcycle back to his place of residence. Tragedy struck at Katogo, where he collided with a pothole, resulting in the loss of control and a subsequent collision with a metallic side road guard. The young medical professional lost his life on the spot, riding alone during the early morning hours.
Elly Maate, the police spokesperson for the Kigezi region, corroborated the details of the incident, stating, “When he reached a place called Katogo, he hit a pothole, lost control and hit a metallic side road guard and fell down. He was alone on the motorcycle and died on the spot.”
Law enforcement authorities promptly visited the accident scene, documenting the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Abaho’s body has been conveyed to Nyakibale Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination, while the motorcycle involved awaits inspection by the Inspectorate of Vehicles (IOV) at Cps Rukungiri.
“Inquiries into the same (accident) continue,” shared Maate in a brief statement to the media.
This heartbreaking incident highlights the serious consequences of neglected road conditions and draws attention to the urgent need for road maintenance in Uganda. The incident follows recent demonstrations by opposition leaders, emphasizing the deplorable state of the country’s roads. As investigations unfold, the tragic loss of a promising medical intern underscores the critical importance of prioritizing infrastructure improvements for the safety of all road users.
