11 Killed in Fuel Tanker Explosion on Kampala-Gulu Highway.

Firefighters assess debris at the scene of an explosion after a fuel tanker rolled and residents started to siphon fuel, in Kigoogwa suburb, Wakiso district. Courtesy image.

At least 11 people were killed after a fuel tanker overturned and caught fire on the Kampala-Gulu highway in Uganda.

The tanker, with registration number UAM 292Q, was en route from Kampala to Gulu when the tragic accident occurred. According to police reports, the deceased included nine adults and two minors, who were burned beyond recognition. Many of the victims had rushed to the scene to siphon fuel from the overturned truck before it ignited, despite the dangers involved.

Witnesses reported that a video circulated online showing people attempting to collect fuel from the tanker moments before the explosion. This hazardous behavior mirrors similar incidents in Africa, where individuals risk their lives in hopes of selling fuel, often with tragic consequences.

The fire not only claimed lives but also destroyed nearby property. Four buildings housing nine shops were consumed by the flames. The exact number of those injured remains unclear as authorities continue their investigation. Some of the injured were transported to nearby hospitals, and police are working to verify details from the medical facilities. The identities of the victims have not yet been established.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern of similar disasters across the region. In a recent tragedy in Nigeria, over 140 people were killed when a fuel tanker exploded under similar circumstances. In 2019, at least 62 people lost their lives in Tanzania, and in 2015, 183 people were killed in South Sudan while attempting to siphon fuel from damaged trucks. Despite repeated warnings to avoid such dangerous actions, these accidents continue to occur in East Africa and beyond.

Authorities have once again urged the public to exercise caution and avoid approaching fuel spill sites, emphasizing the deadly consequences of such actions. Despite ongoing public safety campaigns, these incidents highlight a persistent challenge in addressing both the economic desperation and the lack of awareness surrounding the risks. The government is expected to launch further investigations into the cause of the accident and implement stricter measures to prevent future tragedies, as well as to educate communities on the life-threatening dangers of fuel siphoning.

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