One person was seriously injured after a Kenyan-registered vehicle caught fire near Amudat Town while returning from a local market, in an incident that highlights growing safety concerns along cross-border trade routes.
Police identified the vehicle as a Toyota Townace, registration number KBX 680Y, which burst into flames near Nabokotom Primary School, about five kilometres outside Amudat Town.
According to police, the vehicle was carrying vendors returning to Kenya late at night after attending the Saturday market in Amudat Town Council, a key trading hub for cross-border business between Uganda and Kenya.
The driver, Enock Krop, said he noticed flames emerging from the exhaust through his side mirrors, prompting him to act quickly and avert what could have been a fatal حادث.
“I was shocked to see flames through the side mirrors. I stopped at once and told everyone to get out,” Krop reportedly told police.
All passengers managed to evacuate the vehicle before it was fully engulfed, but one woman sustained serious burns after reportedly attempting to re-enter the burning vehicle to retrieve her luggage.
Karamoja Regional Police Spokesperson Mike Longole said officers responded swiftly to the scene but were unable to contain the fire in time.
“Police responded quickly, but the flames had already spread rapidly and the vehicle was extensively damaged,” Longole said.
The fire destroyed goods and personal belongings estimated to be worth 200,000 Kenyan shillings, dealing a significant financial blow to the traders who depend on cross-border markets for their livelihoods.
The passengers, most of whom are traders from Kapenguria and Kipelakapel in Kenya, were identified as Anita Chepkomoi, Monica Lotunyo, Gilberton Menda, Mariam Abdallah, Mary Mukanyo and Nancy Sangaka.
Police said the injured victim has not yet been formally identified. She is currently receiving treatment at Amudat Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition despite sustaining serious burns.
Authorities say preliminary findings point to a possible mechanical fault, though investigations into the exact cause of the fire are ongoing.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks faced by traders operating along remote and often poorly serviced transport corridors in the Karamoja sub-region, where emergency response infrastructure remains limited.
Police have since urged motorists to carry out regular mechanical inspections of their vehicles, particularly those engaged in long-distance and cross-border travel, to prevent similar incidents.
As cross-border trade continues to sustain thousands of livelihoods in the region, safety concerns such as vehicle maintenance and emergency preparedness remain critical to protecting lives and property.