A passenger bus travelling along a busy highway burst into flames on Wednesday, January 29, 2026, killing several occupants, according to police and eyewitnesses. Authorities said the fire spread quickly after the vehicle developed a mechanical fault, leaving passengers with little time to escape.

Survivors who spoke to journalists at the scene said one woman astonishingly walked away alive, even as the rest of the passengers perished. The woman was later identified as a Ugandan national from Lugazi, and her survival has since sparked widespread public discussion.

A lone survivor

Witnesses said the woman emerged from the wreckage without visible injuries, moments after the flames engulfed the bus. Some onlookers described the scene as unbelievable, with several kneeling in shock as emergency responders arrived.

“I saw her step out and stand by the road quietly. Everyone else was gone,” one witness said. “People could not understand how she survived.”

The woman reportedly told those at the scene that she had sought spiritual protection before the journey. While investigators continue to focus on the mechanical cause of the fire, the survivor’s account has drawn attention to traditional beliefs held by many travellers across the region.

Police said investigations into the accident were ongoing and urged the public to avoid speculation. “Our focus is to establish what caused the fire and whether safety standards were followed,” a senior traffic officer said.

Spiritual protection claims

As the story spread, attention turned to DR Kashiririka, a well known herbal and traditional service provider, after the survivor reportedly mentioned spiritual protection rituals. Speaking on Wednesday, April 30, 2026, DR Kashiririka said such beliefs are deeply rooted in African communities.

“Many people seek spiritual reassurance before long journeys, especially when they feel vulnerable,” he said. “Protection is about faith, discipline, and understanding one’s path, not challenging fate.”

He cautioned against sensationalising the tragedy, adding that lives lost deserved respect. “This is first a human tragedy. Any discussion must honour those who did not make it,” DR Kashiririka said.

Meanwhile, authorities said counselling support would be offered to affected families as forensic teams continued their work. The lone survivor has since been taken to a medical facility for observation, even though doctors said she appeared stable.

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