Police identifies occupants of fuel tank that plunged into Karuma falls

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Police has identified the occupants of the fuel tank lorry that plunged into the Karuma falls.

They are Alex Ogwal, 35-year-old driver of the truck registration UAS 337M and resident of Lira city, and a pump attendant aged 21, all attached to Shine Energy petrol station.

Jimmy Patrick Okema, the police spokesperson for the Aswa River Region told URN that the duo was returning from Lira to Kampala after delivering fuel at Masindi port.

The Saturday afternoon road incident along the Gulu-Kampala highway is only the latest of a series of fatalities at the six-decade old bridge that was constructed in the 1960’s.

Eyewitness say the lorry’s braking system failed forcing the vehicle uncontrollably to speed past a security checkpoint at the Karuma-Arua city t-junction through the steep slopes at the bridge.

Search efforts by the integrated highway police and marine divers have been futile following high volume of water at the falls and poor equipment.

Karuma bridge borders three districts of Kiryandongo, Oyam and Nwoya. It is located approximately 260 kilometres from Kampala and connects Kampala to the regional cities of Gulu in Acholi, Arua in West Nile and Lira in Lango.

Past Accidents at Karuma

In 2000, a bus belonging to Gateway Transporters plunged into the river, and all 11 occupants perished.

In August 2007, a Nebbi bound tipper lorry registration number UAE 037D carrying 12 people, lost control and plunged into the falls. A vendor died while 11 people jumped off and sustained severe injuries.

In Feb 2017, a cargo truck UAP 531S from DRC plunged into Karuma. Occupant Nelson Eric survived the nasty incident.

In June 2018, Fuso truck UAS 994Y veered off the bridge. One person was swept away by the rapid falls.

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