By Emmy Delux Alomu
Katakwi District Health Officer (DHO) Simon Icumar Omeke died on Tuesday evening in a crash that occurred at Ogoloi village in Akaikai parish, Arapai Sub-county, along Soroti-Moroto at around 10:00 pm.
Dr. Icumar was reportedly travelling Soroti City from Katakwi district, when a Ministry of Health Vehicle with Reg. No. UG6070M, he was drinking veered off the road before overturning, killing him on the spot.
Ibrahim Saiga, the Regional Police Commander (RPC), East Kyoga confirmed the tragic incident, saying that two other identified occupants, who were moving with Dr. Icumar, were rushed to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital in a critical condition.
He said that police have commenced investigations to ascertain the cause of the crash that has robbed the life of humble and approached medical professional cherished by many people in Katakwi district.
Geoffrey Omolo, the LC5 Chairperson for Katakwi, who visited the scene this morning, reports that the vehicle may have developed a mechanical problem.
Omolo said the woman, identified only as Charity, was seated in the front passenger seat alongside Dr. Ichumar, while an elderly gentleman, believed to be the driver of Dr. Ichumar’s tractor, was seated in the back.
He explained that the car collided with the side of the road before crashing into the bridge, indicating a struggle to regain control that ultimately resulted in the accident.
Both passengers sustained severe injuries, including deep cuts, with the woman in the front seat and the elderly man in the rear, according to the district chairperson.
Omolo said Dr. Ichumar’s body is currently at Bethesda Hospital’s mortuary, while the injured woman and the elderly man are receiving treatment in the emergency room at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital.
