Police have launched an investigation into a fire outbreak that claimed two lives in Kawempe on Thursday, January 12.

The inferno is said to have occurred at around 5:30 pm at Jinja Kawempe Zone 'A' in Nabweru Division, a Kampala city suburb.

Preliminary findings are pointing to a likelihood that the duo could have been murdered, police said.

Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson, said in a statement that the incident happened at an apartment belonging to Sanyu Grace, who is a businesswoman and resident of the area.

He said the fire originated from a rental unit of one of her tenants identified as Keitesi Suzan, instantly killing victims who are said to have been visiting Keitesi at the time. 

The dead were identified only as Patricia, 24, Keitesi's cousin, and Kajumba, 27, a friend. 

The statement indicates that the victims had come to the place on Thursday morning before meeting their death in the evening of the same day. 

Owoyesigyire said the Regional Fire brigade was informed, responded, and put out the fire, by which time it was discovered the victims were already dead.

"Our officers later visited Kaitesi in the clinic where she had been rushed for first aid and she was later referred to Kawempe Hospital for further management and later discharged," Owoyesigyire said.

"We have reserved the scene for further examination by officials from National Building Review Board, UMEME, and other stakeholders, to ascertain the exact cause of the fire."

He said whereas the tenant had a gas cooker, it was in a store and it remained intact.

"We have, however, arrested Kaitesi on allegations of murder as investigations continue," he added.

By press time, the bodies had been taken to Mulago City Mortuary for postmortem.