A Boda-Boda rider in Gulu Town has died after being hit by a tree branch Monday morning long the Gulu- Nimule road.
Richard Kilama a resident of Patiko Pabwo village in Bungatira Sub County was at the time of being hit by the falling Mvule tree branch carrying a passenger only identified as Salim.
Salim sustained injuries in the arm and is reported not to be in a critical condition.
A section of the Gulu- Nimule road, as one exits the town centre is lined up with ageing Mvule trees. It is from one of these old trees that broke a branch which hit the late Kilama.
A police officer who spoke to Acholi Times on condition of anonymity said the deceased was first taken to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Emergency Unit before being transferred to St Mary’s Hospital Lacor where he later succumbed to injuries sustained on the head.
Tonny Kilama, an eye witness told Acholi Times on Tuesday that the tree branch that hit Kilama was ‘‘big and dry.’’
“The whole incident was very fast; the tree branch broke off and landed heavily on the motorcycle the deceased. They were thrown off the motorcycle down on the tarmac road and the impact left him [the deceased] unconscious,” Mr Kilama (not related to the dead Kilama).
Gulu District Police Commander Martin Okoyo confirmed the incident and said police will engage the municipal authorities to trim the branches big trees along major roads in the municipality.
“There are so many big and old trees near major roads within the Municipality that are posing great risk to both pedestrians and motorists. We want to engage municipal authorities to trim them down to reduce likely accidents in future,” said Mr Okoyo.
Mr George Labeja, the Gulu Municipality Mayor when contacted said he is yet to discuss with the municipality environmental officer on the next steps to take on the proposal to trim the tree branches.
Another Gulu street with several old Mvule trees is Jomo Kenyatta road that stretches for approximately 500 meters from the town centre.
By press time, the deceased body was still lying at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor morgue
