"People Need Sensitization On The Dangers Of Fuel Truck Accidents"- Speaker Among As She Condoled With The Families Of The 11 People Who Died In Kigogwa

The Speaker of parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among has called for increased sensitization on the need to ensure public safety when incidences of fuel tankers overturn, due to the numerous similar deaths that have occurred in the past after such accidents.

She made the appeal during yesterday’s plenary sitting, where she led Parliament in condoling with the families of the 11 people who died in Kigogwa along the Kampala-Gulu Highway when a fuel tanker overturned and later exploded in flames.

“As you are aware, there was a tragic accident where a fuel tanker overturned in Kigowa along the Kampala-Gulu Highway and later exploded in flames, leaving scores dead and destroying roadside buildings. Over the last few years, we have witnessed similar cases, notably in January 2021 on the Northern By-pass, where at least 33 people were left dead. In Rubirizi in 2019, where 20 people died. Such incidents point to the need to sensitize our locals on public safety during such incidents. We condole with the bereaved families and pray that may the Lord comfort them,” noted Among.

In his remarks, the Wakiso District woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Betty Ethel Naluyima noted that there should a better plan for the movement of fuel trucks.

"We are also praying that the heavy trucks move at night, not during the day. Especially for the Kampala Metropolitan area, where we have a dense population. Let us have continuous campaigns on how to handle road accidents, especially those that involve fuel trucks, because this incident could have been prevented if people were aware, but unfortunately, they hurried to go and start collecting fuel," Naluyima remarked.

Naluyima added, “Can we have Police fire brigade at different stations countrywide? We can’t rely only on this Kampala station because it took over one and half hours for Police to negotiate their way to the scene. Those who know Kigogwa, it is a slope and cars are often driven faster, so we pray the Ministry of Works puts some humps due to the several accidents that have happened in this particular spot.”

“As the people of Wakiso affected, we want to thank you Parliament for standing with us and sending all those sympathies to all our people and Ugandans. I was at the sight, it is very unfortunate that Ugandans died. What I established is that over 35 people are dead and over 70 people are injured and they were taken to Bombo Hospital, but they have now been referred to Kiruddu Hospital. Several tried their best but it wasn’t easy, because it was a trench of fuel that had flow and then fire caught that trench. Different homes and shops were affected and many people who were in those shops died,” noted Naluyima.

What You Need To Know:

Few days ago, Kigogwa Fuel Tanker VVictimswere Burnt Beyond Recognition; Death Toll Rising to 15 as per police report.

Police said the fire claimed the lives of 15 people, including 13 adults and 2 minors.

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Victims of a tragic fuel tanker explosion in Kigogwa Town along the Kampala-Bombo road were burned beyond recognition, police have announced.

“The identities of those affected have not yet been established,” said SSP Patrick Onyango, the Spokesperson for  Kampala Metropolitan Police.

“Many of the victims have been burned beyond recognition,” he added.

The incident occurred on Tuesday when a fuel tanker overturned and caught fire.

The explosion also hit neighbouring houses, injuring or killing innocent people

Police said the fire claimed the lives of 11 people, including 9 adults and 2 minors.

However, area residents said the death toll could rise above 20 as more people were last night pronounced dead in neighbouring clinics.

The fuel tanker, with registration number UAM 292Q, was traveling from Kampala to Gulu when the accident occurred.

Police have commenced investigations into the incident

Ugandans rushed to pick fuel from the overturned tanker before it caught fire

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People who rushed to siphon fuel from the tanker were the most affected. 

Four buildings housing nine shops were destroyed in the blaze, resulting in properties worth millions of shillings being lost.

The injured were rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment. 

Onyango said Police were conducting a fact-finding mission to confirm the number of injured persons from the health facilities. 

The truck caught fire after overturning in Kigogwa

“This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with fuel tanker accidents. We urge the public to exercise caution when dealing with hazardous materials,” he added.

On Wednesday morning, local leaders and dozens of people were seen gathering at the horrifying scene.

Fuel tanker accidents in Uganda have tragically led to numerous fatalities, particularly during incidents where individuals attempt to siphon fuel from overturned or leaking tankers.

For instance, in a single incident in June 2013, at least 40 people died when they gathered to siphon fuel from a leaking tanker that subsequently exploded.

The tendency to gather for free fuel is often seen in low-income areas, where residents may resort to siphoning as a means of survival.