By Our Reporter,
MPIGI:
A travellers Bus vehicle belonging to Gateway coaches has reportedly caught fire at Kampiringisa Mpigi District along Kampala-Masaka Highway this afternoon.
According to reports, the Bus Registration number UAU 926U was headed to Kabale from Kampala before it was caught by yet unknown fire sources.
It is alleged that the fires originated from the braking system. All the 37 passengers have been evacuated safely and a number of unamounted properties have been destroyed in the fires.
This follows a similar incident when a Swift Bus coach from Kampala to Ishaka Bushenyi exploded in attempted suicide bombing and one person, Isaac Matovu who was later identified as the detonator of the said bomb died in the explosion.
The traffic police spokesperson ASP Faridah Nampiima said that the cause of the fire was due to malfunction.
@FNampiima “A Gateway bus, registration number, UAU 926U, that was traveling from Kampala to Kabale, had a malfunction at Kampiringisa, along the Kampala-Masaka highway, that caused a fire from the rear wheels. ”
She added that the driver noticed the smoke earlier prompting him to stop and allow passengers to get out of the bus.
“The driver had been earlier warned about smoke from the rear but pulled over after the fire had spread. All the 37 passengers on board are safe & managed to exit the bus before it was entirely engulfed by the fire. The actual cause of the malfunction will be communicated later.”