At least 31 killed in Uganda fire tragedy

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A Ugandan police officer at the scene of the accident. Photo/FAISWAL KASIRYE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By FREDERIC MUSISI musisif@ug.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, June 30  2013 at  15:20

At least 31 people were killed on Saturday night in a fire tragedy at Namungoona, on the northern by-pass of Kampala, Uganda.

Uganda police had earlier confirmed at least 27 people to have died in the accident.

The 10pm incident occurred moments after a Toyota Noah car, Reg. No. UAS 374G knocked the rear of a fuel tanker, Reg. No. KBT 433F, causing the fuel to leak.

The fuel spilled all over the tarmac and into the drainage channel; making the entire place susceptible to fire.

Corroborated eyewitness accounts, indicate that, most of the victims rushed to the scene with tools like jerry cans, basins, among others, to scoop the fuel. Moments later, the fire engulfed the scene trapping several people.

Inspecting the scene Sunday, Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Andrew Kaweesi described the incident as a “national tragedy.”

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, who is in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to attend the Smart Partnership International Dialogue, has sent a message of condolence to families of the victims.

Relatives and friends have gathered at Mulago Hospital Mortuary hoping to identify bodies of the victims.

Mr Hashim Kasinga, the Officer in Charge Mulago Police Post, says bodies of the victims are in the mortuary, while 29 people who were severely burnt are admitted in Ward 3B of the hospital.

Mr Kasinga says police are trying to put in place systems to help relatives identify the bodies.

He advised them to be strong since most of the bodies are burnt beyond recognition.

According to Mr Kasinga, officials from the Government Analytical Laboratory are at the hospital to carry out DNA tests as one of the methods to identify bodies.

Some of the dead have been identified as Sylvia Nakanjako, wife to Mr Abdul Kamoga of Ganda in Nansana.

Nakanjako, a mother of four, was selling roasted maize and plantain at the time of the accident.

Others are Alex Muluya, John Ntale (both boda boda cyclists). Samson Ndugga, a turn-boy of a fuel tanker, Fred Kasozi, Emmanuel Mwanje, Magala and Katamba and  Herbert Byamukama.

Those who are nursing severe injuries at Mulago Hospital are Sadat Ssentongo, Joseph Ssali,  Peter Ssekalembe, Hussein Nsubuga, Ismail Kamulegeya, and David Batambulira.

Others are Patrick Sserunkuuma, Charles Biyinzika, Moses Kayira, Ashraf Kayira, Rashid Okello, Moses Tibesigwa, Joseph Ssessanga, Christine Ssemono, and Ronald Matovu, among others.

This is the second major accident involving fuel tanker fires.

In December 2001, about 90 people perished in an inferno in Busesa, Iganga District on the Iganga-Tororo highway.