KIGALI - One person died and 19 were injured when a Bujumbura bound bus belonging to Gagaa Bus Services rammed into a retaining wall at Ntarabana in Rulindo District, along Gatuna-Kigali highway.

The accident took place, yesterday morning, at around 4 a.m.,  shortly after the bus, registration No. UAR 135Z left Gatuna border post from Kampala heading to Bujumbura.
The injured were rushed to the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) and Kanombe hospital.

Ten of the injured were in critical condition.
Police Spokesperson, Supt. Theos Badege  identified the deceased as the bus driver, Bright Joseph, a Rwandan national, who died instantly.

According to Badege, the bus driver is suspected to have fallen asleep on the wheel.

"Transport companies should establish a rotational system for long distance drivers to avoid such accidents,” Badege said.

Charles Kayitare, the Country Director of Gagaa Bus Services, however, said that each of their buses has two drivers.

He explained that the accident was caused by a puncture on one of the tyres.

"The front tyre on the driver’s side bust and he (driver) lost control hitting the retaining wall,” Kayitare said.

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