Deadly fire destroy property worth millions in Nebbi

By Mike Rwothomio

A devastating   Monday  wee hours fire  broke out razing more than six  houses, kiosks, restaurants  housing   properties worth Million of shillings  in Rock view cell, Central Division ,  Nebbi Municipality.

The march 10, 2025 raging fire is reported to have started from one house before roaring and ripping through other structures in the ever bustling business hub.

No fatalities and injuries were record.

The West Nile regional Police Spokesperson Collins Asea in a statement  confirmed the incident ,   disclosing that though  the exact cause of the fire is not established, ” however there is suspicion of being caused by shot circuit due to loose connection in one of the kiosks” 

Asea added , ” the structures were  housing small businesses such as local brew drinking, timber store, electronic kiosks, and local restaurants”  

“At around 4;45 am, the noise people were making woke us up, and we saw a huge plumes of smoke. Many  fled while sounding alarm” said  Haron Ofoymungu, an eyewitness.

Geoffrey Ngiriker, the Nebbi Municipality mayor described the the incident as “sad and tragic” to  medium income earners.

Ngiriker called for immediate intervention from Government to bail out  the affected persons.

A  handful of the affected  business community gathered at the scene, witnessing the heart-wrenching damage  caused.

“This is a complete disaster, where do I start and finish” said a tearful  Chris Bithum,  whose two houses were razed to ashes.

In October last year, Members of Parliament  called for the establishment of fire brigade departments at the different regional police stations across the country,  in order to prevent destruction of property and loss of life in cases of fire.

West Nile Subregion has only one fire Brigade department stationed in Arua city, more than 70 kilometers away from Nebbi Municipality.

Greater Nebbi has over the years witnessed disastrous fire outbreaks on houses and fuel tanks, with a more notable one being the  scary explosion of fuel tanks at the bustling Goli one stop border in 2021.

Uganda has only 45 fire  stations,11 of which are Kampala based, according to the 2020/2021 auditor general’s report.

Nebbi Municipality Mayor Ngiriker said,    ” in our security meetings, we have been appealing for establishment of fire Brigade department here  to address fire outbreaks,  but we haven’t receive any feedback”.

Nebbi Police have launched inquiry into the incident under  REF 7/10/3/2025.

Last week,  Japan Government donated   five firefighting trucks to the Uganda Police Force, days after devastating fire tore  through Sunrise Hotel in the inner ring of Kampala city, claiming four lives and many properties.

 According to police, over 200 people lost their lives to fire related incidents in 2024  out  of the reported  1,280 fire incidents  and other emergencies.