POLICE | FIRE | KALANGALA

KALANGALA - An unknown fire broke out at Lutoboka landing site in Kalangala Town Council on Monday (October 31) night and destroyed property worth millions of shillings.

The property included shops, residential structures, a Beach Management Unit office where one out boat engine was being kept and other items.

Robina Birabwa, Kasolo Saidi, Musa and Jennifer Auma are some of the residents whose property was burnt to ashes.

Kevin Athieno, one of the eyewitnesses, said the fire started from BMU offices where some jerrycans of petrol were being kept. 

“We have tried to put this fire down using basins and jerrycans and we have also demolished some residential houses but this has left many of our colleagues homeless,” said Athieno.

Although Police officers quickly arrived at the scene, residents said they did not help since they didn’t provide any assistance with fire fighting equipment.

Nandu James Mugoya, the in charge of community policing said such fire needs a fire brigade which is not available at Kalangala Central Police Station.

Residents appealed to the Government for at least to avail one fire fighting car in the district because they find difficulties in putting down such fires.

“We appeal to the Government to respond by availing a fire extinguisher to different landing sites if they can’t afford a fire brigade system because fire outbreaks are rampant in Kalangala landing sites,” said Isaac Opeto one of the residents.

This landing site is the main entry point of Kalangala district where vessels such as MV Kalangala, MV NODL, MV Vanessa dock. 

Any fire outbreak can lead to huge losses to the district if not quickly responded to.