Three Dead, Four Injured After Vehicle Collides With Elephant in Murchison Falls Park

Three people lost their lives while four others sustained injuries following a fatal road crash involving a Toyota Hiace vehicle and a crossing elephant in Murchison Falls National Park.

According to Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura, the accident occurred on the night of May 24, 2026, at around 8:00 p.m. along the Arua Road within the national park in Nwoya District.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the Toyota Hiace, registration number UA 20121AA, was transporting seven officials from the Uganda Revenue Authority who were travelling from Arua to Kampala after official duty when the driver knocked a crossing elephant.

Police say the driver subsequently lost control of the vehicle, leading to the fatal crash. Three occupants died instantly at the scene, while four others, including the driver, suffered injuries.

Police officers responded swiftly and rushed the injured victims to Kiryandongo Hospital for treatment before they were later transferred to Kampala for further medical management.The bodies of the deceased were taken to Anaka Hospital Mortuary pending postmortem examinations.

Police have since urged motorists to exercise extreme caution while driving through national parks and wildlife-protected areas, particularly during night hours, and to strictly observe speed limits to prevent similar tragedies.