Rampant fires are worrying
Apr 12, 2009
THE Inspector General of Police, Major General Kale Kayihura has announced plans to build more fire stations in Kampala and to acquire more fire fighting equipment. The Police chief observed that fire outbreaks are a big threat.
THE Inspector General of Police, Major General Kale Kayihura has announced plans to build more fire stations in Kampala and to acquire more fire fighting equipment. The Police chief observed that fire outbreaks are a big threat.
Kayihura’s announcement comes just days to the first anniversary of the Budo Junior School fire disaster of April 14, 2008, that claimed the lives of 20 girls. It is unfortunate that, a year later, the Police have not yet informed the country whether the fire was the work of evil-minded arsonists or an accident. The parents and country in general still want to know what caused this tragedy.
A big number of schools, markets and commercial premises have also been burnt over the past 12 months.
The rampant fire outbreaks are causing serious concern to the citizens. It is most disturbing that most of the fires have been in schools, which has exposed the children to serious danger and put the school authorities on extreme tension.
True, the Police have made efforts to create public awareness and given guidance to the schools about fire safety. But the fact that Kampala City has only one fire station, which was established in the 1950s, is proof that the country hasn’t given any attention to fire fighting. Kampala that used to have 2000 hydrants in the 1960s, now has less than 100.
According to the Local Government Act, fire brigades are the responsibility of the urban councils. Obviously none of the urban authorities across the country has established a fire brigade.
Although a handful of urban authorities have acquired fire fighting equipment, they do not have the trained personnel and therefore do not have capacity to deal with even minor fire outbreaks. It is inconceivable that urban authorities can mobilise necessary resources to establish effective fire brigades. Therefore, the Government should assume full responsibility for the establishment and equipping of fire brigades. This is a problem that should not be left to the Police and urban authorities to grapple with.
Kayihura’s announcement comes just days to the first anniversary of the Budo Junior School fire disaster of April 14, 2008, that claimed the lives of 20 girls. It is unfortunate that, a year later, the Police have not yet informed the country whether the fire was the work of evil-minded arsonists or an accident. The parents and country in general still want to know what caused this tragedy.
A big number of schools, markets and commercial premises have also been burnt over the past 12 months.
The rampant fire outbreaks are causing serious concern to the citizens. It is most disturbing that most of the fires have been in schools, which has exposed the children to serious danger and put the school authorities on extreme tension.
True, the Police have made efforts to create public awareness and given guidance to the schools about fire safety. But the fact that Kampala City has only one fire station, which was established in the 1950s, is proof that the country hasn’t given any attention to fire fighting. Kampala that used to have 2000 hydrants in the 1960s, now has less than 100.
According to the Local Government Act, fire brigades are the responsibility of the urban councils. Obviously none of the urban authorities across the country has established a fire brigade.
Although a handful of urban authorities have acquired fire fighting equipment, they do not have the trained personnel and therefore do not have capacity to deal with even minor fire outbreaks. It is inconceivable that urban authorities can mobilise necessary resources to establish effective fire brigades. Therefore, the Government should assume full responsibility for the establishment and equipping of fire brigades. This is a problem that should not be left to the Police and urban authorities to grapple with.