Kisenyi fire: 70 families still stranded

May 08, 2014

The 70 families whose make shift houses were gutted by an inferno on Tuesday in Kasato zone, Kisenyi city suburb, are still stranded. The survivors have pitched camp at the LC 1 chairman’s compound for shelter, where they spent the cold and breezy cold nights.

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Some of the burnt iron sheets from the fire that destroyed 30 houses in Kasato zone in Kisenyi 11 parish on 6 May 2014. PHOTO: Ronnie Kijjambu       

By Darious Magara and Andante Okanya

The 70 families whose make shift houses were gutted by an inferno on Tuesday in Kasaato zone, Kisenyi a city suburb, are still stranded.

The victms have pitched camp at the LC 1 chairman’s compound for shelter, where they spent the cold  and breezy cold nights.

Speaking to New Vision at his office in Kampala, Sunday Nkoyoyo the Mengo Kisenyi, said he offered the victims space at his compound, as humanitarian aid is  processed.

He however, said he had issued a directive stopping any construction of temporary structures.

“We cannot allow them to put up new temporary structures because this is the second time fire guts the same place, ” Nkoyoyo said.

Kisenyi councillor Salim Uhuru said he has contacted government for relief aid.

“Government needs to look at specific examples in developed countries, to find a strategy  and come up with plans that would not displace the residents but improve Kisenyi slum” he said.

The state minister of refugees and disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru, said he dispatched a  technical team to assess the level of damage.

“At least I am sure we shall be able to get tarpaulins for the victims,” Ecweru said.

The 75-year-old man, Mutabambarwa who was rescued by builders, is among those who have taken refugee at Nkoyoyo’s home.

At the time of rescue by builders at a nearby construction site, the old man was having an afternoon nap.
Night Nakintu, a mother of two all below five years, pleaded for help, “ask those who read your newspapers and listen to your radios and television stations to donate to us food and clothing.”

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People scavenge through the rubble after a fire destroyed 30 houses in Kasato zone in Kisenyi 11 parish on 6 May 2014. PHOTO: Ronnie Kijjambu     

The victims who lost all their property, said they paid between sh10, 000 to sh50, 000 in monthly rent.

Some claimed to have lost money.

Some victims said fire started from a careless smoker, while others claim it was caused by an illegal power connection.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Fred Enanga, told  New Vision that Old Kampala Police is probing the cause of fire.

The area 30 decimal plot of land, is a subject of conflict between a local resident and an Asian businessman.

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