Two dead, scores injured after passenger taxi catches fire in Jinja

Jinja, (UG):- The Police in Jija City are investigating how two passengers tragically lost their lives and others narrowly escaped after a taxi en route to Mbale caught fire shortly after departing from the taxi park on Sunday evening.

Onlookers who witnessed the incident say the Taxi, Reg No UBA 463V carrying approximately 12 passengers, caught fire near the junction of Clive Road East and Iganga Road, just moments after departure.

Mr James Okello, an eyewitness at the scene said the taxi passed him at around 4:45 pm while moving in an “erratic way”, with its engine sounding “abnormal”.

According to Mr Okello, barely 30 seconds later, the taxi stopped, and the driver alighted from it as it was engulfed in flames. “People tried to rescue some of the passengers, but unfortunately, two people died on the spot,” he said.

Alidina Road LC1 chairman, Mr Vine Ssemaganda, termed the incident “unfortunate” and criticized the driver for reportedly fleeing the scene without allowing passengers to exit, unaware of the vehicle’s mechanical issues.

Mr Muzamil Mugodha, a boda boda rider, however, leapt to the driver’s defence, saying sometimes, car owners are informed that their vehicles are in bad condition, but fail to service them.

The Police fire brigade, led by Jinja District Police Commander Mr Innocent Mubangizi, responded swiftly and detectives are currently investigating the cause of the fire.

By Press time on Sunday evening, the deceased had been taken to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital mortuary, while injured passengers received treatment at the same facility.