Five people have died and 20 others are nursing injuries after an accident along the Hoima-Masindi highway.

The accident happened on Monday at around 10pm near Waaki bridge in Mbaarara village, Kitoba sub county, Hoima district.

According to the police, a Fuso Truck registration number UAT 096V carrying several sugar cane cutters veered off the road and overturned several times killing the five on spot. The injured were rushed to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital.

Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson says that the deceased and the injured that are yet to be identified were all sugar cane cutters from Hoima and were being transported to Kinyara sugarcane plantation in Masindi district.

According to Hakiza, the unidentified driver of the Fuso Truck is on the run. Hakiza says that preliminary investigations point to over speeding.

Sugar factories in the region have come under criticism for transporting workers in dangerous mechanical condition vehicles.