Fuel tanker fire claims lives in Kasangati
The accident, which occurred around 3:00 PM, resulted in multiple casualties and injuries, although the exact number of victims is yet to beconfirmed.
Tragedy struck in Wakiso District on Tuesday afternoon when a fuel tanker overturned and ignited in flames at Kigogwa Town along the Kampala-Bombo road.
The accident, which occurred around 3:00 PM, resulted in multiple casualties and injuries, although the exact number of victims is yet to beconfirmed.
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, confirmed that emergency responders were quickly dispatched.
“A multi-agency response team, including fire brigade trucks, 999 Patrol Cars, police and Red Cross ambulances, as well as other security forces, rushed to the scene,” he stated. Onyango urged the public to rely on official channels for further updates, extending sympathies to the families affected by the tragedy.
This incident is a grim reminder of Uganda’s persistent road safety challenges. The country has consistently recorded alarming road accident statistics, with 4,159 road deaths in 2022—a 12% increase from the previous year—and 13,441 injuries. Fuel tanker accidents have been particularly lethal, contributing to 15% of all fatal road accidents in 2022. The Kampala-Bombo road, where this latest accident took place, ranks among Uganda’s most dangerous highways.
Previous fuel tanker accidents have claimed many lives, including a 2020 explosion in Kyambura that killed 19 people and a 2019 accident in Kampala’s Busega roundabout that left 7 dead. These tragedies highlight the urgent need for stricter road safety regulations, improved vehicle inspections, and better emergency response systems.
While investigations into the cause of Tuesday’s accident are ongoing, the incident underscores the continued need for caution on Uganda’s roads. The nation mourns the loss of lives and calls for more robust measures to prevent future tragedies.
