BUKOBA, KAGERA: A MEDICAL doctor from Kigoma Regional Hospital identified as Dr Bonitus Rwetembura (29), is among the eleven passengers who died in a tragic road accident on Saturday in Biharamulo District.
A close relative, Mr Antidius Bagyemu told the ‘Daily News’ in a telephone conversation that the late Dr Rwetembura, who was employed last year, was heading to Muleba District’s Kyebitembe village to attend the funeral of his grandfather.
“I have been saddened by the tragic death of Dr Rwetembura who just got married on August 2nd this year. He was a young man with a bright future ahead. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.
He explained that funeral arrangements were being coordinated by the family at his home in Kyebitembe village in Muleba District. He is survived by his widow.
Kagera Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Blasius Chatanda explained that eleven people were killed and 16 others were injured.
“The accident happened at around 2 p.m. on Saturday at Kaburoma area along Biharamulo National Game Reserve. A bus owned by Capricon Company with registration number T 857 DHW Scania which was plying between Kigoma and Bukoba experienced brake failure, plunged into a ravine and overturned, tearing off its upper section, leaving the seats intact,” he said.
According to SACP Chatanda, nine among the deceased were identified while two others are yet to be identified with bodies preserved at the Biharamulo hospital mortuary.
Among the 16 injured, 13 were treated and discharged while two others are still admitted to the Biharamulo District hospital in stable condition while one patient has been referred to Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza City for further treatment, he said.
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This incident adds to a series of fatal accidents during the end-of-year festive season.
Earlier, on December 2, seven passengers died on the spot while nine others sustained injuries in a road accident that happened at Kihanga village, in Karagwe District.
RPC Chatanda explained that a Scania lorry with registration number T621 EJQ with trailer number T 472 EAQ which was carrying a consignment of avocados rammed into a parked passenger Toyota Hiace with registration number T 976 DGD.
The Hiace in turn hit a Coaster mini bus with registration number T367 ECP.
He attributed the cause of the accident to negligence and speeding by the driver of the Scania lorry who has since gone into hiding.
Again, on December 18, a collision between a truck and a passenger bus in Mikese, along the Morogoro-Dar es Salaam highway, left 15 people dead.
Reacting to the alarming trend, President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has been issuing various directives to the police force and road safety authorities to take measures to curb the trend.
Following the December 18 accident, the Head of State instructed the Tanzania Police Force to implement a driver’s licence point system.
President Samia explained that the new system will deduct points for traffic violations, ultimately determining whether drivers can keep their licences.
She emphasised that this system will replace the current approach where offenders pay fines and continue driving which she described as ineffective in improving road safety.
