Summary:
- The deceased, Harman Abdullah, the manager of the Stabex Kihiihi branch in Kanungu District, could not escape the accident.
RUKUNGIRI: A 32-year-old Somali national has been burned beyond recognition after a fuel tank lost control and caught fire on the Rukungiri-Kihiihi road in Rukungiri District.
The deceased, Harman Abdullah, the manager of the Stabex Kihiihi branch in Kanungu District, could not escape the accident.
The incident occurred on August 20, 2024, at around 2:30 PM at Bagahwe Trading Centre, Bugangari Sub County, along the Rukungiri-Kihiihi road. The vehicle involved was a white Mitsubishi Fuso fuel tank, registration number UAT 055G.
The accident also injured Mayengo Qurash, 35, a Muganda from Mbarara City, who was the driver, and Kiprimo Brian, 27, a Kenyan turnman.
According to Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, the Mitsubishi Fuso was loaded with fuel in Mbarara, destined for the Stabex branch in Kihiihi.
“The vehicle, carrying the driver, turnman, and the manager, lost control while descending a slope at Bagahwe, failed to negotiate a roundabout, and collided with a “give way” signpost. It then ended up in a trench facing the direction of Kihiihi”. Maate said.
He added “The vehicle sparked a fire upon falling into the trench. The manager could not escape and was burned beyond recognition. The driver and turnman were rushed to Nyakibale Hospital and later referred to Mulago Hospital for further treatment”.
According to him, the scene was visited by the DTO, traffic officers, and a fire team from Rukungiri, Relevant statements were recorded, and the fire was extinguished with the help of the Fire Brigade.
“The deceased’s body was retrieved and taken to Rwakabengo Health Centre IV for a post-mortem examination”. He said.
The primary cause of the accident has been attributed to reckless driving.
