Uganda: Family Seeks Justice After 84-Year-Old is Knocked Dead By President's Office Vehicle

28 October 2023

A family in Pallisa district is seeking for justice after their 84 year old relative was knocked dead by a vehicle attached to the president' office.

Paul Omutu, a resident of Ogoria Village, Okarach Parish, Opqatete subcounty in Pallisa was on Wednesday knocked dead by a speed vehicle registration number UG 2087C at Okum trading centre along the new Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kumi highway.

According to a family member, Omutu was knocked dead as he walked to a nearby drug shop to buy antibiotics.

Another eyewitness, Martin Omongin, told Nile post that "The deceased was already in the middle of the road when the speeding driver flashed headlights and hooted at close range before hitting Omutu to coma."

He said after the accident, the driver of the vehicle jumped out and ran to Kibale police post in order to escape the wrath of the angry locals.

Omutu later died while being rushed to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.

However, family members have refused to bury the deceased's body in protest over the release of the driver on police body.

The family wants the office of the president to meet the burial arrangements and compensation.

By the time of filing the report, the community was planning to carry the body to the RDC's office in protest.

According to residents, the area has become a hot spot for accidents, noting that three people have so far been killed since the road was completed.

"We need humps in thus place to curb overspeeding and the rampant accidents".

Efforts to seek comment from police were futile as the regional OC traffic was unwilling to speak to this website.

The area Pallisa RDC, Magid Dikusoka said he is aware of the accident but noted he was coordinating with the head of protocol in the president's office for necessary support to the family.

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