Death Toll in Kigogwa Fuel Tanker Fire Rises to 24.

The fuel tanker experienced a brake failure and fell on the road before an explosion that rocked the area. Courtesy image.

The death toll from a recent fuel tanker explosion in Kigogwa Town, located along the Kampala-Bombo road in Uganda, has tragically increased to 24, according to official reports.

The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has left the local community in mourning as families grieve the loss of their loved ones.

On October 27, 2024, Esther Nansubuga, a mother who lost her son in the explosion, visited the City Mortuary in Kampala to identify his remains. Isaac Ssebuliba, her son, was one of the many victims of the fire that followed the tanker’s explosion. A photograph captures the heartbreaking moment as Nansubuga is consoled by relatives after the harrowing identification process.

According to Dr. Moses Byaruhanga, the Uganda Police Force Director of Health Services, the latest report indicates that among the 24 casualties, 18 were male and six were female. Dr. Byaruhanga provided these details during a press briefing on Sunday, confirming that the extent of the fire had left most of the victims unrecognizable.

Local authorities revealed that the tanker accident led to an intense fire that quickly spread, consuming everything in its vicinity. The victims, many of whom were passing by or nearby when the explosion occurred, were unable to escape. Efforts to identify the deceased have been challenging, given the severity of the burns.

This incident highlights the pressing need for increased safety measures in fuel transportation to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. The government has promised a full investigation into the cause of the explosion, and further updates are expected in the coming days. As families continue to mourn, Ugandans have been urged to offer support to those affected by this devastating event.

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