Over 50 passengers escape death

Feb 11, 2020

The bus which belonged to Trinity Bus Company limited, registration number RAD 644G was carrying passengers from Kigali, Rwanda to Kampala.

ACCIDENT   TRAFFIC   ROADS
 
At least 51 passengers escaped death on Tuesday morning after a bus they were travelling in caught fire and burnt down.
 
The bus which belonged to Trinity Bus Company limited, registration number RAD 644G was carrying passengers from Kigali, Rwanda to Kampala when it caught fire at a bus checkpoint located at Buwama, on Masaka-Kampala highway in Mpigi district.
 
According to the Katonga region police spokesperson, Joseph Turya, the incident happened at around 6:00 am when the bus driver stopped and came out for registration at the checkpoint. 
 
All buses using the route are mandated to register their particulars and the passengers they are transporting in the book.
 
Thenesete Munyaikwey, 40 years the driver of the bus told New vision that when he finished registering in the traffic book, he saw smoke coming out of the engine of the bus and immediately alerted the passengers to get out.
  
 roperty worth millions and money in cash belonging to passengers were destroyed in the fire which also destroyed the bus  hoto by addy ukenya Property worth millions and money in cash belonging to passengers were destroyed in the fire which also destroyed the bus. Photo by Paddy Bukenya
 

 

Property worth millions and money in cash belonging to passengers were destroyed in the fire which also destroyed the bus.

 
Serge Zimulinda, 31 years, the bus turn boy said they tried to save passenger's luggage but failed because the fire was spreading at a very high speed.
 
Buwama police station has a fire brigade truck but it has spent one year parked after it broke down and it is awaiting repair. 
 
Turya said the bus wreckage was towed to Buwama police station where it is currently kept waiting for the police inspector of vehicles to inspect it first.
 
Passengers were given another bus from Trinity Bus Company which took them to Kampala.
 
This is the second time a bus has caught fire at this checkpoint. In December 2015, a bus belonging to perfect coaches registration number, UAL 883Z, carrying 58 passengers on board caught fire at the same spot and all the 58 passengers survived.

 

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