UPDATE: 11 dead in fuel tanker explosion in Kasangati
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, reported that the fuel tanker, registration number UAM 292Q, was enroute from Kampala to Gulu when it lost control.
A tragic fuel tanker accident on Tuesday evening claimed the lives of 11 people, including nine adults and two minors, in Kigogwa Town along the Kampala-Bombo road.
The victims were burned beyond recognition after the tanker overturned and caught fire.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, reported that the fuel tanker, registration number UAM 292Q, was en route from Kampala to Gulu when it lost control.
Several people who rushed to siphon fuel from the overturned tanker were caught in the explosion, resulting in the fatal casualties.
The fire also destroyed four buildings housing nine shops, causing millions of shillings in property damage. Those injured were transported to nearby health facilities for medical attention, while police continue to investigate the number of injured and identify those affected.
This incident highlights a recurring issue in Uganda, where fuel tanker accidents frequently result in significant loss of life and property. In 2022 alone, 15 such accidents claimed 43 lives and left 71 people injured. The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) also noted that from 2015 to 2020, there were 37 fuel tanker explosions, causing 187 deaths and 345 injuries.
Contributing factors to these accidents often include driver fatigue, reckless driving, and insufficient vehicle maintenance, underscoring the need for enhanced road safety measures and public awareness.
