Lira, Uganda | At least 16 people have died in a spate of accidents along the Dokolo–Lira–Oyam section of the Juba road that stretches from Corner Boroboro to Odokomit Trading Center, within just one month, sparking fresh concerns over road safety in northern Uganda.
The figures were disclosed on Monday, 22 September 2025, by Government Chief Whip and Ajuri County MP Denis Hamson Obua, while addressing mourners at Amuca Primary School during the burial of Tusime Lillian Akacha.
Obua said the fatalities occurred between August and September 2025, shortly after the road was upgraded.
He explained that the absence of speed humps initially contributed to the deaths, but even after humps were installed, another life was lost, and three other people sustained fractures.
He stressed that accidents would continue with or without humps unless road users respected traffic signs and changed their attitudes.
Obua delivered UGX 10 million as condolence from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to the widower, JB Lucky Akacha, a known NRM mobiliser in the Lango subregion.
Akacha told mourners that his late wife had been the foundation of his life and everything to him.
He appealed to the Chief Whip to remind the President of his pledge to provide him with a tipper lorry, which had been promised during Museveni’s recent visit to the Lango Presidential Zonal Skilling Hub.
Several clan heads also addressed the mourners, using the platform to raise broader community concerns.
Ceaser Omach Ario, Clan Head (Awitong) of Atek Odyang Okwer Kic, urged traffic officers to enforce laws consistently and warned that boda-boda riders who overload school children are victims contributing to accidents.
He also called on the government to enhance teachers’ salaries, saying parents and children are suffering as a result of poor support for education.
Geoffrey Etwop, Awitong of Ober Clan, consoled the family and urged them to remain strong.
Bosco Ogwang Edola, Awitong of Odyakol Clan, who represented the business community, said Uganda’s high accident rates are largely the result of reckless behaviour on the road.
In addition, Thomas Otema, an elder of the Atek Odyang Okwir Kic Clan, said something had to be done about the recent rise in accident cases.
He warned that many people are using motorcycles on public roads without proper training and predicted that more than 50% of the riders could perish in accidents if nothing was done.
Lira City Mayor, His Worship Sam Atul, noted that deaths in the region are not only caused by road accidents but also by natural illnesses.
However, he urged greater responsibility on the road, saying many motorists and riders ignore signages and focus only on themselves.
The late Tusime Lillian Akacha was born on 12 December 1982 and died on 16 September 2025.
On 9 September 2025, she sustained fatal injuries when she was knocked down by a motorcycle while riding as a passenger on her husband’s bike near Yellow House in Jinja Camp, Lira City.
She was first admitted to Lira Regional Referral Hospital before being transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where she passed away a week later.
She leaves behind her husband, JB Lucky Akacha, and five children.
She was also the daughter of Lira businessman George Atyam from Ocukuru Ogora clan but was married to the Clan of Atek Odyang Okwer Kic.
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