Fire outbreak at Bank of Uganda

By David Lumu

Fire this afternoon gutted the western wing of the Central Bank in the city centre causing panic among the staff. No damage on the Bank’s assets was caused and there were no causalities.

Police says the fire started at round 3p.m, but it was quickly contained before it could spread to the vital basement where the Bank’s service area is.

Hassan Kihanda, the police deputy director of Fire and Rescue Services described the fire as “minor” and that it the damage was of little consequence to the Bank.

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Fire fighters at BOU building in Kampala. PHOTO: Richard Sanya

According to police, the western wing of the Bank houses offices, stores and some equipment. It is also near to the basement, which is the service area of the Bank.

Christine Alupo, the director communication at the Bank of Uganda confirmed in a statement that there were no causalities and “significant” damages.

“We had a fire incident on our premises. However, we took immediate steps and the situation has been contained. At this stage we have no information related to the cause of the fire and we await police report. No staff has been injured and no significant damage has occurred to any assets of the Bank,” she said.