Police are investigating the circumstances under which a blaze swept through Kalerwe Market in Kampala, causing significant bonfire damage to several wooden stalls.
ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, while addressing the media at the police headquarters in Naguru on November 11, 2024, said that the fire, which broke out on Monday, November 11th, at approximately 1:46 am and spread quickly through the densely packed kiosks, could have been sparked by an illegal power connection.
“Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have resulted from electrical sparks caused by illegal power connections and installations in the market’s kiosks,” he said.
Owoyesigyire further said that the Fire Prevention and Rescue Services responded promptly and successfully extinguished the flames before they could cause further destruction.
He revealed that investigations are underway; he, however, called on Umeme, the electricity distributor, to conduct frequent inspections in markets where wooden structures are predominant, a measure they believe would prevent future incidents.
Uganda has experienced a notable rise in fire outbreaks in recent years, particularly in urban marketplaces where illegal power connections are prevalent.
In 2023, Uganda Police under the Directorate of Fire Prevention and Rescue Services documented over 800 fire incidents across the country, with markets being the most vulnerable locations.
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In September 2013, fire blazed Kalerwe market, and merchandise worth millions was not spared while traders were emotionally massaging losses. The cause of the blaze was pointed at the market leadership wrangles.
Police data shows that nearly 40% of fire incidents in markets are attributed to unauthorized or poorly maintained electrical installations, a factor commonly seen in informal trade environments.
In Kampala alone, a substantial number of market fires have been traced to illegal connections, which are often pursued by vendors attempting to reduce operating costs but inadvertently heighten fire risks.
