Businessman Aponye's Accident Blamed on Over speeding, Lack of Warning Signs

The fatal accident that claimed the life of renowned businessman Apollo Nyegamehe, also known as Aponye, has been attributed to overspeeding. According to Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region Police spokesperson, investigations have revealed that the V8 Land Cruiser registration number UBF 300Z, carrying Nyegamehe and two others, including his brother, was traveling at over 100 km/h when it collided with a stationary FUSO truck registration number UAZ 767D. 

The truck had been parked by the roadside in Itojo due to a mechanical issue. The accident resulted in injuries to two people on board including Moses Buyinza Isabirye, the driver, and Joshua Karamuzi, the deceased's brother. Kasasira also criticized the driver of the malfunctioning truck for failing to use warning signs such as reflectors to indicate the presence of a broken-down vehicle. 

“The lorry that Aponye’s Vehicle rammed into was parked in the road on the same side Aponye was driving on and there were no signs to show that there was a faulty car ahead, so by the time there saw the parked lorry it was too late to brake because of over speeding,” he said. 

Dr. Innocent Twesiime, the Medical Superintendent at Itojo Hospital, described the severity of the accident, stating that Nyegamehe sustained multiple injuries, including broken chest bones, cracked ribs, and internal organ damage. The other two individuals suffered scalp lacerations, but medical scans did not indicate any internal injuries. 

They were later transferred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, while Nyegamehe's body was taken to Kampala for a postmortem examination. Denis Muhumuza, the Itojo Sub County LC V councilor, clarified that the location where the tragedy occurred is not a notorious accident hotspot.

However, due to it being a corner and the accident taking place at night, Aponye's driver was traveling at an excessive speed. Muhumuza also criticized the lorry driver for not using any warning signs. Nyegamehe lost his life on the spot en route to attend a friend's burial. 

Born in Kigo Village, Muhanga Town Council, he was a prominent entrepreneur who owned several businesses, including Aponye City Mall, Mega Standard Supermarket, and Aponye Mall in Ntinda.  He also played a significant role as a supplier of COVID-19 relief food, which was procured by the Office of the Prime  Minister.