Traders Count Losses After Fire Outbreak

Traders are counting heavy losses after a fire gutted a commercial building in Kabale District. The fire broke out on Saturday at around 2:30 p.m. at a commercial building located in Kicollege along Bushekwiire Road in Central Division. The building belongs to Charles Majugo Rwanika, a prominent businessman in Kabale District.

The blaze is believed to have started in one of the stores before spreading to the main wholesale shops. Residents attempted to put out the fire in vain before they were joined by the police fire brigade. One of the fire brigade trucks reportedly ran out of water while battling the flames, prompting security officials to call for support from the Kabale District Local Government water bowser.

Some traders managed to salvage part of their merchandise, but several goods were destroyed. The perishable merchandise included scholastic materials, maize flour, salt, jelly, beer, soda, kombucha drinks, and agricultural inputs such as fertilizers.

Eyewitnesses Agatha Musimenta and Abel Twinamatsiko say they noticed unusual smoke coming from the building and, upon closer inspection, saw flames engulfing the goods. They say the fire destroyed merchandise worth millions of shillings and allege that the police fire brigade delayed in responding.

Joshua Niwagaba and Deus Aturinda, also eyewitnesses, say that despite the significant losses suffered by traders, they are grateful that no lives were lost in the incident.