POLICE | FIRE | DEATH

KAMPALA - Police in Kampala Metropolitan Area are investigating the cause of a fire that broke out at a residence in Kabowa, which led to the death of two children and injured one child.

The incident is said to have happened at 2:00am on Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Kironde zone, Kabowa in Rubaga division as the children, whose parents were away attending night prayers, slept.

Police identified the deceased as Arafat Kawuki, 8, and Aya Namuddu, 10, while the injured child is Ashraf Sseruwagi, 12.

Preliminary investigations show that the fire started from the residence of Zidda Nasasi, who had left her three children in her two-roomed house and gone for overnight prayers.

Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, said the fire then spread to the other room where Kawuki and Namuddu were sleeping.

Police said the community responded promptly and managed to put out the fire, but it was too late to save all the children as two of three children had already suffocated.

“Our crime scene investigating teams responded to the scene to collect material of evidential value, which will help us determine the cause of the fire,” he said.

Owoyesigyire added that the bodies of the deceased children were taken to Mulago City Mortuary for postmortem.

“We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the deceased children,” he said.

The development comes barely a day after Police reported another fire at Nakayiza shopping mall at Kakajjo in Kisenyi, Kampala, on Saturday.

The fire, whose cause was unknown, razed several stores including a posho store, a cereal store and a plastics store, causing damage to property worth millions..

According to James Apora, the director of Police Fire and Rescue Services, there was a 16% increase in incidents of fire with 1,258 reported last year compared to 1,058 in 2021. He said they have seen a pattern of change in the time that the fires are reported.

Previously, in 2021, the fire incidents were reported between midnight and morning hours, but in 2022, it shifted from 1:00am to 6:00am, majorly “because people are continuing to do business until late in the night.”

He said although some of the incidents are accidents, others are a result of arson.