By George Emuron
(Additional Reporting by ED)
BUKEDEA
Whereas the residents of Bukedea district together with the district technical staff are in sorrow mourning the death of Sam Akutu, the Bukedea Human Resource Officer, graphic details of events before his death have emerged.
Akutu died in one of the most painful deaths after getting burnt into ashes inside his car which caught fire after the head on collision on Saturday night 18th, June 2022 in Opiko village, Kachumbala Sub County along Soroti-Mbale high way.
An anonymous police officer is quoted to have said that Akutu was warned by a friendly traffic police officer not to proceed with the night journey because he was driving a car without head lights.
The deceased who was said to be heading to Kachumbala insisted that he could make the journey.
“He even stopped at Aloet (a trading center just a few kilometers from where he met his death) to buy MTN Airtime but was unsuccessful because the network was down,” another eyewitness told this website.
“Shortly after leaving Aloet, we heard a big explosion followed by flames,” the same eyewitness added.
Other eyewitnesses who responded to the accident told this website that soon after the collision, Akutu’s vehicle overturned several times before going up in flames.
“The deceased actually burnt into ashes, it is only part of the skull that was recovered,” another eyewitness said.
The eye witnesses also disclosed that the fire which started from Akutu’s vehicle burnt the trailer and its driver on the spot.
“All the two vehicles burnt and the bodies were picked in separate parts,” say Eye witnesses.
Mourners view on the deceased
Major Victor Moses Ocan, the Operation Wealth Creation Bukedea says the deceased’s death is a big loss to the district.
“Akutu was a humble person, hardworking and very active in his office,” said Ocan.
Samuel Mukose, the workers councillor, calls the deceased’s death a great loss to the district, saying the deceased has been a vibrant person in terms of service delivery.
The body parts of the deceased is in Mbale mortuary as the burial arrangement will soon be availed.
However, recently the Gateway bus collided head on with Wanagon bus in the same point and claimed the lives of three people on spot.
