(Kigogwa, Wakiso) – Families of victims who perished in the recent Kigogwa fuel tanker explosion will receive the remains of their loved ones on Sunday following DNA confirmation, according to officials.
The handover ceremony will be led by Information State Minister Godfrey Kabbyanga at the City Mortuary in Mulago, Kampala, starting at 9 a.m., where families of the deceased will gather to collect the bodies of 11 individuals who lost their lives instantly in the blast. Patrick Onyango, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, stated that DNA test results would be provided during the ceremony to ensure the correct identification of the victims.
The tragic accident occurred on October 22, 2024, in Kigogwa town along Kampala-Bombo Road, resulting in 16 deaths and 23 injuries. Fourteen of the injured remain in intensive care at Kiruddu Referral Hospital in Kampala. Among those killed were two children, and the incident claimed the lives of individuals who had reportedly rushed to the scene to siphon fuel after the tanker tipped over.
The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, with authorities relying on CCTV footage and other technologies to reconstruct the events. The tanker, identified as UAM 292Q, was transporting fuel from Kampala to Gulu when it overturned and ignited. In addition to lives lost, four buildings and nine shops in the vicinity were completely destroyed, causing significant property damage estimated in the millions of shillings.
| Incident Details | Description |
|---|---|
| Location of Blast | Kigogwa town, Wakiso district |
| Date of Incident | October 22, 2024 |
| Total Deaths | 16 |
| Instant Fatalities | 11 |
| Injuries | 23 (14 in ICU) |
| Properties Destroyed | Four buildings with nine shops |
| Estimated Property Damage | Millions of shillings |
| Vehicle Involved | Fuel tanker (UAM 292Q) |
| Cause Investigation | CCTV and other technologies |
