Uganda: At least 48 killed as bus collides into tractor and truck

At least 48 people including 16 children died in northern Uganda after a bus slammed a tractor driving with no lights at night and then a truck, the Red Cross said on Saturday.

"Evacuation teams are working tirelessly to rescue the injured", said Ugandan police spokeswoman Emilian Kayima, adding that all three drivers had died.

"The death toll is now at 48 including 16 children," Red Cross spokeswoman Irene Nakasiita told a leading press agency.

The accident took place on Friday night in Kiryandongo, around 140 miles north of the capital Kampala. The bus slammed the tractor first before colliding with a truck.

Uganda has one of the worst records for road safety, mainly due to the poor condition of vehicles and roads as well as due to dangerous driving.    

More than 9,500 people have died in road accidents in the country between 2015 and 2017, as per the figures by the transport ministry.