More than 200 residents have been left homeless and property worth millions of shillings reduced to rubble after a devastating Saturday afternoon fire tore through Kikade Trading Centre in Kassanda District.
The blaze, suspected to have been triggered by an illegal electricity connection, broke out at around 4:40 PM in Lwensambya Village, Kitumbi Sub-county.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the fire originated from an electricity pole where a resident identified only as Kiiza, who is now on the run, was allegedly carrying out an unauthorized power connection.
According to eyewitnesses, sparks were seen shooting from overhead electrical wires moments before a massive fire quickly spread across the densely populated trading centre, consuming both residential and commercial structures.
“It is alleged that the suspect had climbed the electricity pole and was illegally connecting power when sparks emerged and ignited the fire. Upon realising the danger, he reportedly jumped down and fled the scene,” said regional police spokesperson, Mr. Lameck Kigozi.
Despite frantic efforts by residents to contain the flames, the fire rapidly engulfed several permanent and semi-permanent buildings. Retail shops, clinics, boutiques, food stores, bars, and homes were completely reduced to ashes.
The incident has sparked widespread anxiety among locals, as this is the second major fire outbreak to strike the exact same trading centre in less than a month.
In the previous incident, several houses in Kirombe Kikadde were gutted, leaving residents with heavy losses. Local leaders noted that Saturday’s fire started from the very point where the earlier blaze had been contained, spreading to newly rebuilt homes of families who were just beginning to recover.
The recurrence has raised serious questions over the safety of electricity installations in the area and the growing prevalence of illegal power tapping. Police have repeatedly warned that unauthorized connections remain a ticking time bomb in many fast-growing trading centres.
While the exact value of the destroyed property is yet to be established, local leaders estimate the losses to be in the millions. Many victims were left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
Mr. Lwamulinda Stephen, the chairperson of Lwensambya Village, described the incident as one of the worst disasters the area has witnessed in recent years.
The list remains incomplete as more victims continue to come forward to register their losses.
Following the disaster, officers attached to Kassanda Central Police Station rushed to the scene. The area was cordoned off and documented by Scene of Crime Officers (SOCOs), who recorded statements from eyewitnesses and local leaders.
A General Enquiry File has been opened as detectives intensify efforts to establish the precise technical cause of the blaze.
Mr. Kigozi confirmed that investigators are pursuing the prime suspect while liaising with electrical experts to determine whether the illegal connection was the direct trigger.
“As investigations progress, we are appealing to members of the public to desist from engaging unlicensed electricians or making illegal power connections. Such acts not only contravene the law but also expose communities to grave danger,” Mr. Kigozi warned.
Security has been heightened in Kikade Trading Centre to prevent looting as heartbroken families continue to sift through the debris in search of salvaged belongings.