Museveni visits Bypass accident scene as death toll climbs to 35

President Museveni being briefed by Kampala Metropolitan Police commander, Mr Andrew Kaweesi (C), at scene of the accident. PPU PHOTO 

By Frederic Musisi

President Yoweri Museveni has visited the accident scene of the Saturday night’s fire at Namungoona, on the Northern Bypass as the death toll from the accident climbed to 35.

Police officers led by Kampala Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Mr Felix Kaweesi briefed the president about the calamity.

On Sunday, police put the number of those who died at 33.

Information Minister, Ms Rosemary Namayanja, said on Monday that two more people have succumbed to the wounds they sustained in the Saturday fire.

The accident happened after a Toyota Noah car rammed into a fuel tanker at about 9.30pm, resulting into a spillage of fuel on the road and down into a nearby papyrus swamp.

Minutes later, the place had been swarmed by boda boda cyclists, passersby and local area residents armed with jerrycans, basins and other equipment to scoop the fuel. The scramble would, however, not last long as a fire suddenly erupted, trapping tens in the swamp and burning some of them beyond recognition.

Mr Enock Kasasira, the Mulago Hospital Spokesperson said 17 bodies have been identified. He said respective relatives have since claimed the bodies.