By URN
Residents of Kigoogwa town along the Kampala-Gulu highway are grieving following a tragic fuel tanker accident that claimed 11 lives and left many others injured. The accident occurred at around 3:00 p.m. in Kigoogwa Town when a fuel tanker, registration number UAM 292Q, traveling from Kampala to Gulu, overturned and caught fire in the town.
Ismail Musoke, an eyewitness, said that upon overturning, the tanker burst, and fuel spilled into trenches. The driver, after jumping off, warned residents about the imminent danger. Musoke explains that youths rushed to the scene to collect the fuel that was leaking on the ground before it ignited, leading to the deadly fire.
Derick Musoke and Godfrey Ssenyonjo, other eyewitnesses, reported that several people suffocated in their homes after locking themselves inside during the chaos.
The deceased have been identified by local authorities as Joseph Muwonge, aged 24, Teddy Nakamya, aged 26, together with her daughters Chelsea Nakayaga, aged five, and Polly Namutebi, aged three. Nakamya and her daughters died inside their house.
Others are Samuel Matutu Morgan, aged 25, Alex Ssendi, aged 32, and Ahmed Ssemwezi, aged 22, among others who are yet to be identified. Several victims were burnt beyond recognition.
The injured have been identified as Michael Kato, Ezekiel Katongole, Justine Nakalyango, Shafik Ssenyonjo, Brian Ssimbwa, and Joseph Ssempijja. Others include Isaac Opolot, Rashid Kigonya, Kizza Kayizzi, and Saudah Musah.
The news of the tragedy cast a somber mood over Kigoogwa town as police maintained a heavy presence and cordoned off the area around the fuel tanker and the burned houses.
Lydia Nakalema, a resident, was found crying after being notified that her son, Alex Ssendi, was among those who perished in the fire. “I am left with no one to look after me, my son is gone. Who will care for me?” Nakalema said, sobbing.
Florence Najjuma, another resident, was left speechless after learning that her husband, Samuel Matutu Morgan, was among the dead. Matutu left behind one child, and the family is still in shock over his sudden death, a few hours after he left home to go to work as a builder.
Four buildings housing nine shops were destroyed in the blaze, and property worth millions of shillings was lost. The shops included businesses dealing in hardware, a salon, a boutique, a video library, electrical appliances, and general merchandise.
Juliet Nakisinde, a resident, said she was away when the fire broke out and returned only to find her shop and household items burnt, resulting in losses worth 10 million shillings. Nakisinde lamented that apart from the dress she was wearing, she had nothing left from her home or shop.
On Wednesday, Justine Mbabazi, the Resident District Commissioner for Wakiso district, visited the scene and called for calm as the government investigates the matter and devises a plan to support the bereaved families and victims. Police are yet to release a detailed report on the deceased and the exact number of the injured.
