Entebbe — Property worth millions was on Saturday destroyed in a fire that burnt down Uganda Bureau of Statistics offices in Entebbe.

Residents of Kitooro looked on helplessly as the fire brigade battled for over four hours to contain the fire that started at around 8pm. "I saw smoke coming out of the offices and stopped to see what was happening. I was marveled to see UBOS offices on fire," Mr Robert Kapere, an eye witness told the Daily Monitor.

Police blocked the lane to Entebbe Airport, leaving motorists to share the lane used by cars moving to Kampala. The police struggled to tow out the institution vehicles, whose keys could not be found.

Entebbe police boss Geoffrey Kahebwa said the fire could have been caused by a short circuit. "We can't ascertain the real cause of the fire and the properties destroyed because the lights are out but we shall start our investigations tomorrow [yesterday]," Mr Kahebwa said. Daily Monitor could not get a comment from the institution's guards.