As many as 20 people are feared to have perished in the fire following an accident involving a fuel tanker along Northern By-pass in Kampala.
As many as 20 people are feared to have perished in the fire following an accident involving a fuel tanker along Northern By-pass in Kampala.
The accident which occurred after 10pm on Saturday near the Hoima Road round-about, involved a fuel tanker which collided head-on with a Toyota Ipsum before overturning.
Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi confirmed the accident and the resultant fire but could not give details on the number of casualties.
But early information coming in indicates that people rushed to the scene of the accident to get free fuel after the tanker overturned. Many of these are believed to be among the victims.
Some unconfirmed sources say at least 27 bodies have been pulled out and are being taken to the mortuary.
State House has already issued a statement which they say is from President Yoweri Museveni, who was in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania participating in the Smart Partnership International Dialogue. In the statement, the president says he has learnt with great shock of the tragedy “in which vehicles have been burnt by a fuel tanker at Namungona causing loss of lives.” The statement adds that the president is closely monitoring efforts of the “Police and Health workers at the scene."
More details to follow….
Tom Malaba
Freelancer
