Vendors Claim Deadly Market Fire Was An Act Of Arson
Kisenyi Market
Police in Uganda are investigating circumstances under which fire consumed Kisenyi Market Kikajjo Zone, Central Division in the wee hours of the morning.
The fire started at around 4 am in the morning but unfortunately the fire fighters appeared in the morning after most of the shops had been burnt to the ground.
“The first fire brigade appeared without water and the other one came very late. This was minutes after the fire had started.” A witness said.
It is not clear what may have caused the fires but some vendors believe that the space they are occupying has land wrangles and claim it was arson.
“If they could notify us that they are fighting for the land we are occupying, we would move before it’s too late to avoid issues like this,” an angry market woman revealed.
Sgt. Eric and Godfrey Okobo from the firefighters department however states that they cannot come to a conclusion on what may have caused the fire but vow to investigate and come up with the report.
“You cannot know where it originated from so to analyze and get the cause, we will require other forensic examinations and technical examples from the scene” Godfrey Okobo said.
It is reported that this is the third time shops in this particular part of the market are getting destroyed by unknown fires. First time was in November 2019 then January 2022. Vendors have been advised to always create space for fire fighters cars just in case of emergencies like this.
“This is the third time it is happening and if anyone wants this place, they should sit down with the occupants and have a discussion instead of burning their merchandise. People are so poor with loans and I condemn it.” Salim Uhuru, Mayor Kampala city said.
Although police reported no casualties in the fire, a resident claimed that three children died on spot.
“We are going to clean up the scene, do overhaul searches everywhere and if there’s any casualties, we shall report in due course.” Okobo said.
The deputy RCC Anderson also visited the site and promised them that the government will investigate the case and compensate the victims.
Stuff like flour, sorghum, chicken feed, soya among others were destroyed.
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