(Kampala) – Police at Mulago City Mortuary have handed over the bodies of 11 victims from the fuel tanker fire in Wakiso District to their families. During a ceremony held on Sunday, the families gathered as officials, including the ICT State Minister Godfrey Kabyanga and Assistant Inspector General of Police Dr. Moses Byaruhanga, offered condolences and updated them on the tragic incident’s handling.
Dr. Byaruhanga, the Police Director of Health Services, reported that 24 bodies in total have been processed since the accident, including 18 men and six women. Several victims sustained burns so severe that DNA testing was required to confirm their identities, as their bodies were otherwise unrecognizable.
| Fatalities | Details |
|---|---|
| Total bodies handled | 24 |
| Identified and handed over | 11 |
| Burn injuries requiring DNA identification | 13 |
| Death toll locations | Wakiso, Kiruddu, and Bombo hospitals |
| Juvenile remains | Three unclaimed feet remain at mortuary |
The disaster unfolded when a fuel tanker, traveling from Kampala to Gulu, overturned in Kigogwa town along the Kampala-Bombo Road on October 22, 2024. While the tanker driver managed to escape and warned bystanders to stay back, some people began collecting spilled fuel, despite the risk. Tragically, the tanker exploded, causing a violent fire that swept through the surrounding area, injuring bystanders and trapping some victims inside nearby buildings.
The death toll initially stood at 11 but has since risen to 24, as more victims succumbed to severe burns in hospitals. The victims were treated at Kiruddu and Bombo hospitals, but despite efforts from medical teams, several could not survive their injuries.
Speaking at the handover, Minister Kabyanga described the situation as “devastating,” particularly given that three unclaimed juvenile feet remain at the mortuary, reflecting the tragic scale of the disaster. “It is devastating that these juvenile feet remain unclaimed and unidentified,” he said. He acknowledged the hard work of the Police and the cooperation of the families in the DNA identification process, and he commended the healthcare workers for their efforts in treating the injured.
In addition to supporting burial arrangements, President Yoweri Museveni offered each family of the deceased UGX 5 million.
