Joshua Nahamya,
Mbarara.
Dozens of traders have lost their property worth millions in the Monday, October 25 conflagration that has engulfed timber traders along Akiiki Nyabongo road in Mbarara City.
According to SP Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi region police spokesperson, the Monday fire outbreak was first reported by gilbert Awuyo, the security private guard attached to grade one security services ltd who was patrolling the lower Bus Park gate.
“It was around 0328hrs when Awuyo saw a lot of smoke from timber workshops (Mbarara General works) located on Mbaguta street on the upper side and Akiiki Nyabongo on lower side” Kasasira reports
Awuyo immediately reported the incident to the Mbarara bus park police post.
Police Action
A case file of arson was opened and Rwizi Regional fire team rushed to the scene but they failed to contain the fire. They called for re-enforcement from the Bushenyi fire station, Ministry of works, and other private fire personnel, and the fire was later put out.
The scene was visited by RPC, DPC, OC CID, Scenes of Crime Officer, and Homicide team of Mbarara Police Station
One body of one Sonko Sam aged around 18 years a casual worker at the workshops on Mbaguta street was retrieved from the scene burnt beyond recognition.
Findings
It was established that 23 timber workshops were destroyed, a motor vehicle Reg no UAQ 002J Harrier and a motorcycle were burnt.
Other properties burnt include; hotel kiosks, mechanics, and timber molding machines.
Locals and some traders who rushed to the scene to save their property from damage blamed police for failing to have enough resources to put off such fires in the city.
Appeal
Robert Kakyebezi, the City Mayor said it was unfortunate to the traders but appealed to the government to provide the city with a standby fire brigade car for future misfortunes.
It is unfortunate what has happened to the business community here in the city especially those trading timber. But I ask the police and central government that we need to have a new standby fire brigade vehicle in Mbarara to prevent any other eventualities in our area rather than waiting to call in other districts for help” Kakyebezi emphasized
Lt Col James Mwesigye, the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Mbarara also advised Mbarara City Council to gazette a place outside the town vicinity where to allocate traders dealing in furniture and mechanics to prevent further damages in the future.
“My advice to council is that next time they should remove timber outside the town or else they risk burning the whole town of Mbarara because it’s difficult to put off fire that comes from timber,” Mwesigye said
By press time, the fire brigade team was still putting off the fire and the cause of the fire was not yet established as inquiries are underway.
