By Tebusweke Yusuf
A devastating fire swept through part of Kalerwe Market in the early hours of this morning, destroying several wooden stalls and kiosks. The blaze, which started around 1:46 a.m. on the east end of the market along Gayaza Road, is suspected to have been caused by electrical sparks from illegal power connections and installations.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, reported that the Police’s swift response contained the fire. However, he urged UMEME to conduct regular inspections of electrical connections.
“We appeal to Umeme to ensure regular checks on electrical connections to prevent such incidents,” Owoyesigyire said. “Additionally, all electrical installations in kiosks and shops must be carried out by certified professionals,” he added.
According to eyewitness Alex Pijjo, the fire originated in a wooden structure used for welding. Although the flames initially subsided, they suddenly erupted again in the same unattended structure, leaving onlookers stunned.
“We initially thought someone was welding inside, perhaps working on a signpost,” Alex Pijjo recounted. “My friends and I decided to ignore it and sleep, but just 10 minutes later, we heard a loud explosion from the same kiosk. The fire then spread rapidly, engulfing nearby shops,” he added.
Pijjo described the desperate struggle to put out the fire. “Despite our efforts to extinguish the flames, the fire spread at an alarming rate, overpowering us,” he explained. “By the time the Fire and Rescue Service arrived, the entire market was engulfed, resulting in catastrophic damage.”
Fred Ntulume, another vendor at Kalerwe Market, expressed frustration, stating that his entire livelihood was destroyed due to the delayed arrival of the Police Fire and Rescue Brigade. “They arrived nearly 40 minutes after the fire started, by which time everything was already razed to the ground,” he lamented.
A senior police officer from the Fire and Rescue Service, who was part of the response team, attributed the delayed arrival to challenging accessibility issues. “We faced significant difficulties reaching the scene due to poor road conditions, narrow pathways, and severe congestion. We did our best, but upon arrival, the entire area was already engulfed in flames,” said the officer.
“Unfortunately, several properties were destroyed. We’re now conducting a thorough search to determine if anyone was trapped inside, possibly asleep, but our efforts were initially hindered by the narrow roads that delayed our response,” the officer explained.
The fire outbreak at Kalerwe Market has left many market vendors counting their losses.
Although electrical short-circuiting is suspected as the cause, some vendors believe that ongoing leadership wrangles among different parties vying for control of the market may have played a role. Last month, a blaze in Kyamuka Zone, Kamwokya, leftover 100 people homeless, and the cause of that fire remains unknown.
