President Yoweri Museveni Monday expressed the country’s grief and shock at the loss of lives in the gruesome traffic accident at Namungoona and announced government support to the victims.
He cautioned the youth against living recklessly and urged them to engage in income generating activities that can improve their lives.
The President visited the scene of accident that left close to 40 people dead and tens of others injured. He was met and briefed by the Kampala Metropolitan Commander, Andrew Kaweesa, at Namungoona.
The President who was later joined by the minister for health Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda visited Mulago hospital to console the victims of the accident and also visited the mortuary where bodies burnt beyond recognition were taken.
Museveni who had just returned to the country from Dar es Salaam Tanzania where he has been attending the Global International Smart Partnership Dialogue 2013, stepped off his plane at exactly 10.30 and headed straight for Namungoona and subsequently to Mulago Hospital.
While addressing relatives of victims, the media and Mulago Hospital administration staff, the President expressed his condolences on behalf of Ugandans to relatives of grieved families and pledged government support to the families. He cautioned the youth against reckless living which can lead to death.
Information and National guidance minister, Rose Namayanja, issued the statement.
Below is the press release
Fellow Ugandans, on Saturday, 29th June 2013 at about 21:30hrs a fire occurred at Namungoona, Kasubi along northern bypass, near Kampala in which 29 people were burnt to death. Another 29 people were evacuated with severe burns and are currently under-going treatment at Mulago hospital.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the fire was caused by an accident involving a white station wagon vehicle (Toyota Noah) Reg. No. UAS 374C, which rammed into the rear of a white fuel tanker Reg. No. KBL 361B.
The impact and damage at the back of the fuel tanker caused a spillage of fuel on the road and the near-by the papyrus swamp. The spillage attracted motorcyclists (boda bodas), passersby and some residents who started scooping fuel.
Unfortunately, a huge broke out, engulfed the whole area and burnt people who were scooping fuel. The ‘head’ of a semi-trailer truck that was closely following the Toyota Noah was also burnt.
Due to the fuel spillage, heat on the road and massive evaporation of petrol, there was a concentration of flammable vapour around the scene of the accident. This and friction from tyres generated excessive heat in an oxygen environment which ignited the vapour and intensified the fire.
The government wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families upon the tragic loss of their dear ones.
UPDATE
• 29 people died on spot
• 17 Bodies have been collected so far
• Others are still undergoing identification. The process is ongoing which will include DNA tests.
• 29 people were injured, 6 so far have succumbed to death due to the intense nature of the burns
We want to commend the government institutions for the timely response i.e. Uganda Police and Mulago National Referral Hospital
Government wishes to strongly caution the public against such dangerous fortune seeking acts like this one. The public is also encouraged to always immediately report any such incidents to the police for timely intervention to save lives and mitigate the resulting losses.
May the Lord rest the souls of the deceased in eternal peace
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY
Rose Namayanja Nsereko (MP)
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE
1ST JULY, 2013
KAMPALA
