A terrible accident struck Otuke and Kapelebyong districts on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, when heavy floods at Alito/Moroto Bridge turned an ordinary journey into a nightmare. At least 12 travelers were swept away by the fast-flowing waters, leaving families and communities in shock and mourning.
By Friday, August 22, three bodies had been recovered. The victims included 26-year-old Alupo Kevin, a hairdresser from Akadot Village in Pallisa District; Odongo Kennedy, 25, a student from Kotido Technical School in Lira District; and 27-year-old Korinyang Isaiah, a Karamojong from Kaabong District. While Alupo and Odongo’s bodies were taken by relatives for burial, Korinyang’s remains in police custody as authorities continue to trace his family.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic. Floods had made it impossible for vehicles to cross, forcing passengers on the Kotido–Soroti road to attempt crossing on foot. Locals had tied a rope across the flooded section of the bridge, charging people to hold onto it for safety. On one side, the rope was tied to a stick held by men, while on the other, it was fastened to a parked car.
Tragically, when around 15 people tried to cross at the same time, the rope could not hold the weight and snapped, plunging them into the deep water. Three people were rescued and rushed for treatment, but the strong current claimed the lives of many others. Police report that nine bodies are still missing, and the final toll could rise.
The disaster has left families in deep grief. Alupo was traveling to her new marital home in Napak District, Odongo was returning home from school, and Korinyang’s destination remains unknown. Authorities have raised concerns about road safety, noting that the bridge and surrounding roads are prone to flooding during the rainy season.
As the search for the missing continues, communities wait anxiously for news of their loved ones. The Alito/Moroto Bridge tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of improvised travel solutions and how quickly a simple journey can end in heartbreak.
