The death toll from Tuesday’s explosion of a Kigoogwa fuel tank on the Kampala-Gulu road in Wakiso district has risen to 24, the Ugandan police force has confirmed.

Uganda Police Force Health Services Director Assistant Inspector General of Police Dr Moses Byaruhanga on Sunday said the latest report indicates that out of the 24 victims, at least 18 are male while six are female.

“The remains that we received from the scene are 11 and a set of three legs of children, which means that these were two bodies. Out of these 24 victims, only three were minors,” Dr Byaruhanga said during a press conference at the Kampala city mortuary. .

The remains recovered from the scene were burned beyond recognition, requiring DNA tests to identify the victims.

Fortunately, DNA test results matched all the evidence to the victims, allowing authorities to release the bodies to their families.

“The results were released yesterday and good enough, all the evidence was matched with the victims and the bodies will be handed over to the families if they turn up,” Dr Byaruhanga explained.

The victims who died at Kiruddu Hospital were easily identified and handed over to their relatives for burial. Authorities coordinated with the Bombo Military Hospital to process the release of the victims’ bodies.

Police are still looking for the tanker driver, who is on the run.

Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Kabbyanga, appealed to the public to provide information on the driver’s whereabouts.

“We have written to the Uganda Revenue Authority to provide information on the ownership of the vehicle,” Kabbyanga said, announcing that the affected families would receive Shs 5 million for their lost loved ones and Shs 1 million for those receiving treatment.

Preliminary reports indicate that a coal stove on site started the fire. “The reports we have still indicate that the fire was started by a coal stove that was at the scene of the crime at the time of the incident,” said Luke Owoyesigyire, a spokesman for the Kampala Metropolitan Police.