KAMPALA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least five people including two prisoners were killed and 26 others injured in two separate road accidents in central Uganda on Monday, police said here.

Joseph Musana, Katonga regional police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that three people died while seven others sustained injuries when a commuter taxi they were travelling got a tyre burst and lost control at Kalandazi swamp in the central district of Mpigi.

The commuter taxi was heading to the capital Kampala.

Meanwhile, two prisoners were killed on spot and 19 others injured after the truck they were traveling in from the Kitalya prison farm lost control in the central district of Wakiso.

Frank Baine, Uganda Prisons spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that Yasin Zubail and Shafiq Kyaka died on spot while the injured were rushed to hospital.

"The cause of accident was a boda (commercial motorcycle rider) abruptly crossing (the road). The driver tried to dodge it and lost control," said Baine.

Patrick Onyango, Uganda's deputy police spokesperson on Monday appealed to drivers to be cautious while on the road.

"We appeal to drivers to avoid over speeding, reckless driving and check the mechanical conditions of their cars to avoid accidents on our roads," said Onyango.

Uganda registers at least 20,000 accidents with over 2,000 deaths each year, making it one of the countries with the highest road accident fatality rates in the world, according to police statistics. Enditem

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