Traffic along the busy Mityana–Mubende Road was thrown into chaos after a passenger bus belonging to Link Bus burst into flames at Kikonge, forcing terrified passengers to flee for their lives as motorists watched in shock.
The bus, registration number UBF 966K, had reportedly departed Kampala and was heading toward Mubende District when the frightening incident happened. Witnesses said the vehicle developed a mechanical problem linked to one of its tyres moments before the fire erupted.
According to people at the scene, smoke was first spotted coming from the wheel area while the bus was still moving at high speed. Within minutes, flames spread rapidly across parts of the vehicle, sending passengers into panic as screams filled the air.
“We saw smoke coming from one side of the bus before flames suddenly appeared. Passengers immediately started rushing out in fear,” eyewitness Peter Bogere said while describing the dramatic moments before the fire intensified.
Residents living near Kikonge quickly rushed to the scene after noticing the burning vehicle. Some joined efforts to help passengers escape safely while others attempted to rescue luggage before the flames completely engulfed sections of the bus.
The incident caused tension among other motorists using the highway, with traffic temporarily coming to a standstill as drivers slowed down to witness the burning bus. Security officers later intervened to control the situation and restore movement along the road.
Fortunately, no deaths or injuries were reported, as all passengers managed to evacuate the vehicle before the fire spread further. Fire brigade teams later arrived and successfully contained the blaze, although the bus was left heavily damaged.
By the time of filing this report, police had not yet released an official statement regarding the exact cause of the fire. Investigations are now underway to determine what triggered the incident and assess the full extent of the damage.
