Police issue stern warning against fuel scooping

KAMPALA - Police have sternly warned the public against scooping fuel from crash scenes.

The fresh warning issued on February 10, 2025, follows an incident in Bugiri district's Busowa a day earlier where residents gathered with jerrycans after a fuel tanker lost control and spilled its contents.

Addressing journalists at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, Police Spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma expressed concern over the recurring behaviour despite previous tragedies.

“Last year, we lost several people in Kigogwa along Bombo Road when a fuel truck lost control and caught fire,” Kituuma said. “Now, we have photos showing people once again carrying jerrycans to scoop fuel. It’s clear that many are unaware of the dangers associated with this practice".

Kituuma urged local leaders to help sensitise the public about the risks, emphasizing that Police often arrive at crash scenes after residents have already gathered.

“We call upon all leaders to take this message seriously and discourage this dangerous behaviour,” he said.

Addressing journalists at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, Police Spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma expressed concern over the recurring behaviour despite previous tragedies. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

Fatal fire incident in Jinja  

In a separate incident, a fire broke out at a garage with multiple workshops on Spire Road in Jinja city at around midnight on February 9, resulting in the death of one male adult and significant property damage.

Kituuma revealed that Police, assisted by fire equipment from Nile Outlet, Tasco and Nile Oil Factory, managed to extinguish the blaze. Preliminary investigations point to an electrical circuit as the likely cause.

“Our assessment shows that there was no fire-fighting equipment on-site, which could have contained the fire in its early stages,” Kituuma said. “This is a place where millions were lost. We continue to urge property owners to invest in emergency fire-fighting equipment.”