Police finalise investigations into Makerere fire

KAMPALA-The Police have finalised investigations into the cause of the outbreak of fire that destroyed Makerere University's iconic main building, the Ivory tower.

The building which is over 70 years old was razed down by fire in the wee hours of Sunday morning. It is not yet clear whether the fire was an accident or arson.

According to Charles Twine, the spokesperson Criminal Investigations Department (CID) the team of scientists and experts had concluded their investigations waiting to report the findings.

"The experts conferenced with the investigators and have had their last meeting. On Wednesday September 30, the experts will meet with the investigators and share their findings for a report," Twine said in an interview on Friday.

He added that; "If it is established that the cause of the fire was associated with arson, we shall know who did it and we shall prosecute that person. If their findings show that it was an accident we shall report".

Twine noted that once the findings are collaborated on Wednesday, the team will issue a report within a space of one week, detailing the cause of the fire that razed down the building that many described as the face of Makerere University.

He said that once the report is ready, it will be handled over to the ministry of internal affairs, Makerere University council and the Ministry of Education.

" I appeal to the public to remain calm and avoid speculations , the investigations have been done by experts drawn from different sectors so Wednesday, we shall compare notes and know the genuine cause of fire , we shall inevitably inform the public the exact cause of the fire," Twine explained.

Following the fire outbreak, government set up a multi stakeholder team comprising scientists from Umeme, Government Analytical Laboratory, the National Building review board, Police forensic experts and the works ministry to investigate the cause of the fire.

Foul play
When the Makerere University main building caught fire, members of the public started speculating on the possible cause of the fire with some people saying it was arson while others attributing it to electrical shock.
Theories on the cause of the fire that burnt the bigger part of the building rotated around financial wrangles among the university bosses.

It was also linked to electrical shocks in some universities, cleaners said have been occurring on a constant. As part of the investigations, the detectives retrieved footage from the university and also arrested two security guards to help out with the investigations.