Fuel tanker fire disrupts Kampala-Mityana road traffic

Motor vehicle transport along the Kampala-Mityana highway was on Saturday morning paralysed after a fuel tanker caught fire and remained burning for several minutes.

The incident took place at Kizikibi swamp, near Kiwawu Trading Centre, about twenty kilometers to Mityana town.

One of the occupants in the tanker who survived without injuries said the fuel tanker from Busia was taking the load to Mityana and Mubende.

“When we got here, we stopped to check on the state of the tyres where we found one having some fire frames in the drum. As we tried means of stopping it, it spread very fast,” Ronald Kaat said.

RDC Mwanjuzi warned residents that in such incidents, they should leave the security to act and only stand in far places. (Credit: Luke Kagiri)

The driver of the truck has since gone missing.

Concerned residents tipped the security operatives about the incident and police immediately sent its fire engine from Mityana. Two others from Kampala however arrived at the scene in time and stopped the fire.

Police led by the Mityana district Police commander Steven Ojok cleared the scene by chasing away crowds that had gathered to watch the fuel truck burning.

“It is very unfortunate people can just gather in that way but we thank police for how they have handled the scene,” Mityana deputy Resident District Commissioner Prossy Mwanjuzi said.

Mwanjuzi warned residents that in such incidents, they should leave the security to act and only stand in far places.

“You can only tip or call and inform police or your leaders but you are not supposed to get to the scene of such a fuel tanker accident and in case we try to chase you away and you decline, we may use some relevant force to save your life,” she added.