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A fuel truck fire in Kigoogwa town, Wakiso district, on October 22, 2024, has resulted in 15 fatalities and 24 critical injuries. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has provided five million shillings to each victim’s family and one million shillings to those injured for medical expenses.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

The families of the victims of the tragic fuel truck fire, which has resulted in the loss of 15 lives and left 24 individuals critically injured at Kiruddu Hospital in Kampala’s Makindye division, have each received five million shillings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

The fatalities occurred when a fuel tanker, registered as UAM 292Q and en route to Gulu, veered off the road and collided with roadside buildings, subsequently bursting into flames as bystanders attempted to siphon off the leaking fuel.

“The President and Cabinet express their profound sorrow for the lives lost in this tragic fuel tanker accident. He has provided financial support to the families affected by this tragedy,” stated Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku, Minister of State for National Guidance.

Wreckage of the fuel tanker

The incident took place on the Kampala-Bombo Road in Kigoogwa town, Wakiso district, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

During a media briefing on Wednesday, October 23, at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Minister Kabbyanga announced that President Museveni had allocated five million shillings to the families of the deceased and one million shillings to each individual nursing injuries to assist with medical expenses and recovery.

“The President has also directed that these families receive assistance to aid in burial arrangements and to support those who are recovering from their injuries,” Baluku added.

He emphasized, “We are currently conducting investigations, and the Government will continue to support those affected, including individuals who have lost property such as homes. Those whose vehicles were destroyed will be compensated by their insurance companies upon the submission of their claims.”

The bodies of the victims will be released to their families following the completion of DNA testing by the Police to confirm their identities, particularly since some were severely burned. Kabbyanga urged parents of the deceased to come forward to assist with the identification process.

Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, Minister of State for Information Communications Technology and National Guidance, urged the public to exercise caution in the aftermath of accidents.

“Many individuals rush to loot from accident victims without understanding the cause of the incident, often at great risk to their own safety. Those who sought to benefit from this tragedy displayed a lack of awareness regarding the dangers they faced,” she cautioned, advising the public against engaging in such reckless behavior.

Addressing the issue of road safety, Ssebugwawo attributed the prevalence of road accidents in the country to reckless driving, which she emphasized must cease through strict adherence to traffic rules and regulations.

“Motorists must consider the safety of all road users, including pedestrians, and should navigate the roads responsibly to prevent harm to others. The public is encouraged to report accidents to the police promptly to mitigate similar incidents in the future,” Ssebugwawo advised.

It is important to note that the driver who managed to escape the truck during the incident remains at large.