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Representatives of the Uganda Law Society address the media during a press conference at the Gulu Legal Aid Clinic. By Proscovia Achomo Gulu City The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has announced free legal representation for victims and families affected by the dead
Representatives of the Uganda Law Society address the media during a press conference at the Gulu Legal Aid Clinic.
By Proscovia Achomo
Gulu City
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has announced free legal representation for victims and families affected by the deadly Opit Travelers bus crash, as part of activities marking the Society’s 70th anniversary.
The legal intervention comes in the aftermath of one of Uganda’s deadliest road crashes this year. On the night of July 7, 2026, an Opit Travellers bus carrying 56 passengers and crew from Kampala to Gulu collided head-on with a Kenyan-registered Mercedes-Benz trailer at Kulo-Otit Trading Centre in Bobi Sub- County, Omoro District, along the Kampala–Gulu Highway.
The crash claimed 15 lives, including both drivers, while dozens of other passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to health facilities in Gulu for treatment.
According to preliminary police investigations, the bus driver was allegedly speeding when he attempted to avoid a pedestrian crossing the road. The bus reportedly lost control and veered into the path of the oncoming trailer, triggering the fatal collision. The tragedy reignited concerns about road safety and the standards governing Uganda’s public transport sector.
Against this backdrop, the Uganda Law Society says many survivors and bereaved families need legal support to pursue compensation and hold those responsible accountable.
ULS Northern Region Council Representative Emmanuel Egaru Omit said the Society is establishing a nationwide pro bono legal aid programme aimed at helping vulnerable citizens who cannot afford legal representation.
He noted that many road crash victims fail to pursue compensation because they lack the financial means or legal knowledge to enforce their rights.
“As the Uganda Law Society marks 70 years of service, we are launching a national pro bono scheme to support vulnerable citizens. Many victims of road accidents cannot pursue compensation or assert their rights because they cannot afford legal representation. We are mobilising our lawyers across the region so that anyone in need can visit our Legal Aid Clinics and receive the support necessary to obtain justice,” Omit said.
Isaac Olanya Ronald, a member of the Uganda Law Society’s Specialized Emergency Committee, said the Society intends to file legal action against Opit Bus Company on behalf of victims.
He argued that as a licensed public transport operator, the company had a legal duty to ensure the safety of its passengers.
According to Olanya, preliminary findings suggest the crash resulted from the driver’s failure to meet the professional standards expected of a licensed public transport driver.
“We intend to take legal action against the Opit Bus Company because it had a duty to guarantee the safety of its passengers. We will seek compensation through the courts, and several victims have already approached the Uganda Law Society for legal assistance. Some of these cases have already been filed before the High Court,” Olanya said.
He encouraged other survivors and bereaved families to come forward and access the Society’s free legal services.
ULS representative Calvin Kilama, who has represented the Society during official visits to survivors of the Opit bus crash, called on the government to strengthen road safety policies to prevent similar tragedies.
He said Uganda continues to experience avoidable road crashes despite existing laws, stressing that stronger enforcement and policy reforms are urgently needed.
“Many of the accidents happening in Uganda are preventable. The government needs to strengthen existing policies because the current measures have not been sufficient to stop the recurring loss of lives on our roads. It is time to implement stronger interventions that will prevent these tragedies from happening again,” Kilama said.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Bus Owners Association (UBOA) says it is working with the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda Police Force and other stakeholders to improve passenger safety.
In a statement signed by General Secretary Robert Mutebi Kyobe, the Association said efforts are underway to strengthen road safety through comprehensive crash investigations, safety audits, mandatory vehicle inspections, driver retraining programmes, and stricter enforcement against reckless driving and overloading.
The Association also pledged continued support for families affected by bus accidents while working with government agencies to improve safety standards across Uganda’s public transport sector.
The Uganda Law Society’s intervention is expected to provide much-needed legal support to survivors and bereaved families while reinforcing calls for greater accountability among public transport operators and stronger road safety reforms to reduce the country’s rising number of fatal road crashes.
Meanwhile, the management of Opit Bus Company has apologized to the families of those who lost their loved ones and to all passengers affected by the tragic crash.
The company says it deeply regrets the incident and continues to stand with the victims and their families during this difficult period. Management noted that it has been providing support to bereaved families and facilitating medical care for survivors since the accident occurred.
The company has also appealed to all survivors who may still require medical attention to report to its offices so they can be referred to appropriate health facilities for continued treatment. According to management, the company remains committed to ensuring that survivors receive the medical care they need while continuing to support families affected by the tragedy.