Kabale, (UG): Transport was Saturday morning paralyzed along Kabale-Katuna border road after a fuel tanker exploded in an accident at Nyakasharara village in Kicumbi parish, Kamuganguzi sub-county, Kabale district.
The incident happened at around 06:00 AM, according to locals.
Paul Ojara and Richard Tumushabe, both eyewitnesses, told URN that the fuel tanker was heading to Kigali-Rwanda from Mombasa-Kenya. They say that the driver, who could have failed to control the vehicle, came hooting as he drove at a very high speed.
They added that in the process, the yet-to-be-identified driver failed to negotiate a sharp corner at Nyakasharara and the vehicle rolled, immediately bursting into flames. They however say that the driver and turn boy managed to get out unhurt and fled.
Police fire brigade attached to Kabale central police station later arrived and put off the fire, but this reporter was also unable to identify the registration number of the fuel tanker since it had been burnt beyond recognition.
This is not the first time heavy-duty vehicles have been involved in fire incidents along the border.
In August 2023, a Trailer registration number UAS 134R carrying World Food Programme maize flour caught fire leaving tons amounting to millions burnt to ashes at the Uganda-Rwanda border of Katuna.
In April 2022, a fuel tanker, registration number, SSD 775Q that was on its way from Kampala to deliver fuel to Baj petrol station Rwakaraba, in Northern Division in Kabale town rolled down Kabaraga hills and burst into flames at Kirengere in Kyanamira sub-county, Kabale district along the Mbarara-Kabale highway injuring two people.
In December 2012, a fuel tanker registration number KAW 879W/ZC401 from Nakuru in Kenya exploded in the same area killing the driver, Paulo Maina.
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