Police are searching for people who stole rice from a truck that overturned and killed three people.

The accident occurred on Tuesday at about 5 pm at Jongoza village, Kalisizo, on Masaka-Mutukula road.

Witnesses say, the driver lost control of the speeding truck that was carrying dozens of rice bags. Three occupants of the truck which veered off the road into a swamp, died instantly.

The victims are Mohammed Katumba, the driver; Elias Kibuule, a resident of Kakunyu village in Kalisizo, Kyotera District and John Kasawuli of Buyanja village in Masaka District.

According to Mr Joseph Kiyimba, an eyewitness, residents who rushed to the scene carried rice bags after realising that all the passengers had instantly died.

Police officers who later secured the accident scene, saved some rice from being stolen.