Last weekend's deadly inferno has so far claimed 40 lives and many people are mourning, but some families are still laying claim to the last seven unidentified bodies.
Government confirmed this week that DNA identity tests have been conducted on the charred bodies and results are expected soon. Sources at the Government Analytical Laboratory in Wandegeya say there were delays in the genetic testing of the remains of the victims of the deadly Northern Bypass fuel blaze because of lack of enough reagents in the country.
According to these sources, the government had last month suspended forensic investigations and DNA tests, citing a lack of the necessary reagents.
"But since the death of these people has been very sensitive, government is trying all means to have enough reagents and test the victims next Monday, free of charge," the source said.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesman Ibn Ssenkumbi confirmed that the death toll had risen to 40 people, with seven of the injured still hospitalised at Mulago hospital. Enock Kusasira, the hospital's public relations officer, said DNA test results would be available on Monday.
Meanwhile, President Museveni has promised to visit the homes of the fire victims to prove whether the Shs 5m he donated to the bereaved and the injured actually reached the right homes, following reports that some people claimed the wrong bodies while others pretended to be injured yet they were not.
According to the police's preliminary report released on July 3, the fire was sparked by jubilant boda boda riders who rode to the scene deliberately pushing their cycle stands on the tarmac, which produced sparks that caused the fireball. Police have arrested the two trailer drivers, Musa Isaac and Victor Onyango, for questioning.
Onyango, the driver of fuel tanker Reg. No. KBT 433F/ZE, which was destined for Nansana, says he warned the people at the scene about the dangers but they refused to heed his warning.
"The driver of vehicle Reg No.UAS 374C, which knocked the trailer that caused the fuel leakage is still missing," Ssenkumbi said, adding that police suspect he might have died in the fire.
Friday 5 July 2013
http://allafrica.com/stories/201307050326.html
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