Massive traffic jam on Kampala-Gulu highway after fuel truck catches fire

Matugga, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Scores of people are feared dead and others injured after fuel tank overturned and caught fire at Kigoogwa town along the Kampala-Gulu highway. The incident has caused heavy traffic jam between Matugga town and Kakerenge town along Kampala-Gulu highway

According to Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, the accident occurred at around 3.00pm when  the fuel tank overturned and caught fire. Onyango said several persons have died on spot and others injured in the accident.

“Our thoughts are with the affected families and communities,” Onyango said.

He said that Policemen, Red cross volunteers and security forces have rushed to the scene to respond to the incident.

“Emergency response teams, including fire brigade trucks, four 999 patrol cars, police ambulances, Red Cross ambulances, and sister security forces, are currently on the scene,” he said.

Response team in Kigogwe Town Council, Kampala Gulu Highway this afternoon.

Major incident declared on
22nd/10/2024 around 3pm-4pm

Involving a fuel tanker that lost control and exploded into flames.

📌Number and type of casualties
– to be recorded after the response.… pic.twitter.com/h0lSVpcuq7

— Uganda Red Cross Society (@UgandaRedCross) October 22, 2024

It is reported that after the fuel tank overturned, several people rushed to collect fuel before it caught fire and killed scores of persons on the spot leaving others injured.

Fire has also spread to several shops and destroyed merchandise worth millions .

By the time of filling the report, Police and other agencies were still evacuating the injured as well as removing dead persons.

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