The wreckage of the taxi

Students together with staff of Kampala International University (KIU) have paid tribute to their six colleagues who died after the taxi they were travelling in rammed into a lorry on Saturday evening.

The students belonging to the KIU Banyarwanda Students Association (BASA) were travelling in a passenger commuter taxi registration number UAZ 179T which rammed into a stationary lorry UAK 812L at Kakooge, Nakasongola on the Kampala-Gulu highway.

Savannah Region Police spokesperson, Paul Kangave, attributed the accident to over speeding of the commuter taxi. “The taxi lost control and knocked the parked tipper truck at the road side, rolling on the road and hit another taxi Reg No. UAY 756Z which was coming from Kampala City. The Students were coming from a party at Walusi in Nakasogola District at about 8:00pm when the fatal accident occurred,” Kangave told the Daily Monitor, a local daily, on Sunday.

Police on Sunday identified the dead as Fred Mutabaazi, Frank Ngalambe, Samson Makwengere, Vincent Kwizere, Fred Kasasi and Emmanuel Shema who died on his way to hospital.

The injured students were first rushed to St Francis Health Centre IV Kakooge in Nakasongola District but were later relocated to Nsambya Hospital in Kampala. There were 13 students in the taxi with the other seven still nursing wounds at Nsambya Hospital.

Since Saturday, there has been a sombre’ mood at the university’s main campus in Kansanga. Staff and students have taken different forms of media to eulogize the deceased.

In a condolence message sent to the press, The KIU University Council, Board of Trustees and management of KIU eulogized each student in a unique way expressing condolences to the families, friends and the university council. Below in quotes are messages from KIU management.

Shema Emmanuel was a second year student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with Education. He was the General Secretary for the College of Education and also the sports minister of BASA.  “He was humble and a social man. He will be missed.”

Ngalambe Frank was pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration and was in his third and final year. Frank was the president BASA and class coordinator Business Administration.  “He was known for being reliable, committed and a trusted member of KIU community.”

Kwizera Vincent was the Minister of Information in the guild union. He was in his second year pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration.  He was also a minister of finance BASA. “Vincent was one of the most recognized faces at KIU, a dedicated ambassador for the University.”

Mukwengyeri Samson was in his second year of study pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with Education. “He was an active member of KIU community.”

Kasasira Fred was pursuing a Bachelor of Tourism and Hotel Management and was in his third year. “He was the president of the Nakasongola Association and an impactful member of KIU community.”

Mutabazi Fred was in his first year pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Education. “Even as a fresher at KIU, he was already an impactful member of the community.”

For the students, many have taken to the social media accounts of the deceased to pay their tributes.

“My heart is terribly bleeding, after receiving the sad news about the death of 7 KIU students in an accident yesterday. My heartfelt condolences goes to the families of the deceased and KIU community. May their Souls rest in peace.,” wrote a one Prince Abdulsayid Senior.

“Rest in peace sweet hearts,dearly Vincent I can’t believe u r gone bro, see u in the next world,” wrote another student.

Josh Derick Mugabi wrote, “RIP my brother/Ob You perished in KIU accident, as Denis kijjaguzo we have lost a brave person. #RIP Kelly Shema.”

Meanwhile, the university commenced burial arrangements together with the Rwanda High Commissioner to Uganda since all the deceased where from Rwanda.

Students pay last rescpect to their fallen colleagues at the main campus on Sunday