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The Police in Kampala are investigating a Friday morning fire that gutted a restaurant on the Uganda House building in the city centre.

The fire is suspected to have started at around 5am, Kampala Metropolitan deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said in a statement.

He said the Fire Prevention and Rescue Services "responded to a fire outbreak at Cafe Bravo Restaurant, located at Uganda House on Kampala Road".

It "swiftly engulfed the restaurant premises", he added.

Footage circulating on social media showed the raging blaze sweep through the restaurant area, with black smoke billowing upwards.

In one video, some people are seen trying to extinguish the ferocious fire, but with futility. 

One people is heard saying that he had already alerted the Police Fire Brigade, as others scramble to tame the fire. It appears to be before dawn.


"Our dedicated team from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Services promptly arrived at the scene and successfully contained the fire before it could spread further throughout the building," said Owoyesigyire. 

"However, significant damage to the property ensued.

"Investigations into the cause of the fire outbreak are currently under way, with investigators actively gathering evidence at the scene to aid in determining the root cause," he added.

Police said there were no reported injuries or fatalities resulting from the incident. 

"Further updates will be provided as soon as additional information becomes available," said Owoyesigyire. 

The affected building houses the headquarters of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) party and other businesses, including Bravo Restaurant that bore the brunt of the morning fire outbreak.

KCCA donates fire trucks to Police

The Friday morning fire broke out a day after the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) donated two firefighting trucks to the Police Force.

KCCA handed over the trucks to the director of Fire Services, AIGP Joseph Mugisa, at City Hall.

KCCA said the donation is to help the Police in managing fire and rescue incidents within the city.

"We donated these trucks to the Police to enhance their capacity as experts in fire and rescue services," said KCCA executive director Dorothy Kisaka, according to a statement by KCCA.

"While we are working towards building our own firefighting capacity in the future, we recognize the immediate need to support the police in their crucial role."