Over 200 rescued from pits in 2024—Police

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At least 200 people were rescued from pits, particularly latrines where newborns are often dumped, in 2024, according to a report released by the Uganda Police Fire and Rescue Services.

The report, presented by department director Stephen Tanui at a media briefing at Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala city on February 24, 2025, also highlighted a 9% increase in school fires.

Tanui, who is an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP), said the rescue efforts focused mainly on open and closed pits, followed by valley dams and ponds where people accidentally fell.

Other emergencies included home safety traps and collapsed structures, with a total of 300 people rescued throughout the year.

“Cases of newborns being dumped in latrines remain a serious issue. We continue to rescue these innocent babies, but prevention must start with communities,” Tanui stated.

Rise in school fires

Beyond rescues, the report pointed to a rise in school fires, from 50 cases in 2020 to 55 in 2024.

Tanui acknowledged that progress had been made in fire prevention but urged all stakeholders, including school administrators and parents, to remain vigilant.

“There was a time when school fires were not a problem, but we are now seeing a resurgence. The good news is that collective efforts from the Police, school heads and other stakeholders have helped reduce the severity of incidents,” he said.

The major causes of fires were linked to electrical faults, with 270 cases attributed to short circuits and another 111 caused by faulty electrical appliances. Misuse of candles and negligence also contributed significantly, leading to 213 incidents.

The Kampala Metropolitan Area recorded the highest number of fires, with 993 cases in 2024 alone. Tanui noted that firefighting efforts in the city remain challenging due to congestion, narrow roads, and poor urban planning.

“You find a fire breaking out in a congested suburb where access is blocked. It may take five minutes to get there, but hours to put it out because of the obstacles,” he explained.

The central region had the highest fire occurrences, with 24% of all cases, followed by Nakawa (13%), Rubaga (7%), and Kawempe (32%). Other affected districts included Wakiso, Entebbe, Mukono, and Mpigi.

Tanui warned that as Uganda continues to develop, fire incidents are likely to rise unless deliberate prevention measures are taken.

“We must plan heavily for fire prevention rather than just responding to outbreaks. Emergency response is crucial, but preventing these fires in the first place is what really saves lives,” he said.