By Spy Uganda
A devastating fire broke out around 8 PM in Kasunganyanja Cell, Kibiito Subcounty, destroying properties and businesses worth millions of shillings. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but residents report that it started in one of the residential rooms before spreading rapidly.
The affected building housed several businesses, including a motorcycle spare parts shop, a welding workshop, and a dry produce store. The back rooms served as residential spaces, leaving multiple families homeless.
Among the victims was Gertrude Karungi, a hotel owner, who lost all her property, including furniture and household items. “I was left with nothing but the clothes I was wearing,” she lamented, calling on the government for support.
Friday Richard, who ran the motorcycle spare parts shop, estimated his losses at over 3 million shillings. Another affected resident, Ategeka Brian, criticized the slow response from the police fire department, stating that the rescue team arrived too late—after everything had been reduced to ashes.
Fire Fueled by Flammable Materials
Eyewitness Wilson Murungi confirmed that flammable materials inside the building, including oil, welding equipment, and dry produce, intensified the fire. He also noted that while some items were salvaged, opportunistic bystanders took advantage of the chaos to steal from the scene.
Dr. Hon. Peace Mutuuzo Regis, Woman MP for Bunyangabu District and Minister of State for Gender and Culture, advised residents to insure their properties to prevent similar financial losses in the future. She also donated 700,000 shillings to support those affected.
By press time, efforts to obtain a statement from the police had been unsuccessful.
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