A middle-aged long-distance truck driver was on a trip ferrying a consignment of clinker to Tororo, Uganda, when his journey came to an abrupt end near Amagoro in Teso North Sub-County.
The driver’s truck was among several long-distance vehicles caught in traffic between Amagoro and Kocholia.
When traffic resumed movement at dawn, fellow drivers behind him noticed that his truck remained stationary.
“We hooted several times, thinking the driver might have dozed off, but the truck did not move. That is when we realised something was wrong,” said one of the drivers who was behind the vehicle.
Concerned, the driver said he stepped out to check on the situation and found the truck driver slumped over the steering wheel.
“I touched him and realised he was not breathing,” he said.
Police officers later arrived at the scene and moved the body to Kocholia Funeral Home, while the truck was driven to the Amagoro Police Patrol Base.
Teso North Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer Wesley Lagat confirmed the incident, saying investigations had been launched to establish the cause of death.
“A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine whether the deceased had any underlying medical condition or other cause of death,” Lagat said.
Police said the incident, which occurred on Wednesday, was the first case of a driver being found dead behind the wheel reported in the area since the Covid-19 period.
Some drivers at the scene said the incident highlighted the challenges faced by long-distance drivers during extended cross-border journeys.
“Most people see the goods being transported and not the person driving,” said another driver.
A resident who witnessed the aftermath described the incident as distressing, noting the demanding conditions under which long-distance drivers often operate.
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