By Jamillah Kemigisa
A tragic trailer accident and subsequent fire on Saturday evening has left the Bunyangabu community in deep mourning and frustration, with renewed calls for urgent safety reforms along the Fort Portal–Kasese highway.
The incident occurred at around 7:40 PM on August 2 near Kasunganyanja Trading Centre, a known accident blackspot. A white and blue Mercedes Benz Actros trailer, registration number UAN 007Z, reportedly lost control at a sharp bend, veered off the road, and burst into flames.
Police say the trailer, which was headed toward Kasese from Fort Portal, had earlier developed mechanical problems at Bunjojo Trading Centre. Though it was primarily a cargo vehicle, authorities and witnesses suspect it was also transporting passengers. The exact number of occupants remains unclear, but all victims were burned beyond recognition.
The fire fully engulfed the vehicle, and only partial intervention by the fire brigade managed to quell the flames—hours after the initial outbreak.
“The fire brigade took nearly four hours to arrive. By the time they got here, it was already too late. Even then, the fire flared up again,” said Johnson Muhumuza, a local resident.
Residents and local leaders have condemned the slow emergency response and inadequate handling of the victims’ remains.
Community leader Kemigisa Margret described the experience as traumatic, saying locals were forced to guard the scene overnight to protect the bodies from animals.
“It’s heartbreaking. These were human beings. There must be dignity even in death,” she said. “This is not the first time this road has claimed lives, but the government continues to ignore our cries.”
A Death Trap Long Ignored
The accident reignites longstanding concerns about Kasunganyanja corner, a sharp bend notorious for its deadly history. The spot has been the scene of multiple fatal crashes in recent years, with residents now referring to it as a “death trap.”
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In February 2021, a fuel tanker exploded after a collision, killing four people.
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In 2022, a trailer rammed into a taxi, killing two people and injuring several others.
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In 2023, a police patrol vehicle lost control at the same bend, killing one officer and seriously injuring another.
Despite repeated calls from residents, the road has not been redesigned, and emergency services remain distant and ill-equipped.
Local leaders are now renewing demands for:
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A permanent fire brigade station in Bunyangabu District.
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Redesign and widening of the Kasunganyanja bend.
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Improved road signage, lighting, and emergency access points.
“This is not just an accident—it is a consequence of persistent neglect. If no action is taken, more lives will be lost,” said Margret.
Police Investigations Underway
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police, multiple units including the Kasunganyanja Police, District Traffic Police, Regional Fire Brigade, and Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) have visited the site. A case has been registered, and investigations are ongoing into possible mechanical failure or negligence.
The victims’ remains have since been transferred to Buhinga Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examinations. As of press time, no official identifications had been released.
The trailer wreckage remains at the scene as investigators comb through the evidence.
Grief is quickly turning into anger across Bunyangabu, with residents accusing authorities of ignoring a disaster-prone area.
“We are not just grieving—we are demanding answers,” said a resident at the scene. “How many more must die before government takes us seriously?”
As the community waits for answers, the charred wreckage and the memories of yet another avoidable tragedy remain a painful reminder of a system many believe is broken.
