17 killed in Uganda highway pile-up

At least 17 people have been killed in a pile-up involving two minibuses on a Ugandan highway.

A police official says at least 17 people have been killed in a multi-vehicle accident on a highway in Uganda.

Police spokeswoman Polly Namaye said five vehicles, including two passenger minibuses, were involved in the accident in Mpigi district, about 50 kilometres from the capital, Kampala.

She said initial investigations showed that a private vehicle attempted to overtake another at a sharp corner, hitting a trailer which swerved and hit other vehicles.

She said 12 other people were injured in the accident on Saturday evening.

Deadly motor accidents are frequent in Uganda, where roads and highways are narrow and often littered with potholes.