ASP Richard Kato Asiimwe, who served as the Rukiga district police community liaisons officer, was involved in the accident at around 12:30 pm, in Rwabahazi village, Muhanga central ward, Muhanga town council along Kabale-Ntungamo highway.
According to Elly Maate, the Kigezi region police spokesperson, the 59-year-old officer was riding a Yamaha motorcycle with registration number UP 8582 and heading to Ntungamo from Muhanga when he was knocked down by a speeding Toyota Canter truck, with registration number UBF 422N. The truck was reportedly heading to Muhanga from Rubaare town council in Ntungamo district. The driver of the truck, identified as Lucky Asiimwe, a resident of Kagango ward in Rubaare town council, lost control of the vehicle and crossed into the right side lane, hitting the police officer in the process.
The impact of the accident was severe, and the truck also hit a roadside tree, causing its branches to fall and injure a 52-year-old man named Paul Barigye, a resident of Muhanga town council. Sadly, Barigye passed away later that night at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, where Asiimwe was also admitted following the accident.
Unfortunately, ASP Richard Kato Asiimwe passed away the following day, Sunday afternoon, due to injuries sustained in the accident.
According to Maate, preliminary investigations suggest that overspeeding was the cause of the accident. It is a tragedy that could have been avoided if the driver of the truck had exercised caution and followed traffic rules.
Adding to the pain of the situation is the fact that the truck driver reportedly fled the scene and is still on the run, leaving behind devastation and grief in his wake.
The passing of ASP Richard Kato Asiimwe is a great loss to the Rukiga district and the wider community. He served as a community liaison officer, and his work aimed to foster positive relationships between the police force and the people they served.
His contributions will be missed, and his passing is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of exercising caution and responsibility while on the road.
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