Police has called on residents of Pajule Sub County in Pader district to avoid the temptation of siphoning fuel from an ill-fated fuel tanker which over tuned in the area
The South Sudan bound truck Registration Number CE 148 C from Eldoret, Kenya overturned along Lira- Kitgum road when its front tyre bust making the unidentified driver to lose control.
Jimmy Patrick Okema, the Aswa Region Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) said the incident happened on Saturday at around midday.
Immediately after the accident, according to Okema, police officers were deployed at the scene of the accident to guard the vehicle to prevent fuel theft.
On several occasions in various locations in Uganda, people have had a tendency of stealing fuel tanker accident scenes.
The police spokesman said the deployment was also meant to protect life as the inflammable fuel can catch fire and lead to loss of life.
He cited an incident in 2013 in Namugona in Kampala were dozens were killed after a fuel tanker caught fire as residents siphoned fuel.
Police has according asked residents to stay away the accident site saying they should learn from history.
In the Namugona incident, at least 20 people were killed after a fuel tanker exploded as passersby attempted to siphon fuel from the stricken vehicle after the driver abandoned it.
Moments later the tanker burst into flames, engulfing nearby cars and scores of people.
