Millions of shillings' worth of property has been reduced to ashes after a fierce night fire swept through timber workshops, welding units, and a small hotel at Kiduuka in Mutungo, Nakawa Municipality, leaving scores of traders counting heavy losses.
The blaze, whose cause is still under investigation, broke out at around 3:00 a.m. and rapidly tore through the densely packed timber structures, consuming machines, raw timber, and finished products.
By the time firefighters managed to contain the flames, nearly everything within the affected cluster had been destroyed.
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According to first responders, the fire escalated too quickly for any meaningful salvage effort. Andrew Muwanga, one of the first at the scene, described a chaotic situation as the flames engulfed the area.
"The fire spread very fast. Within minutes, the whole place was up in flames," he said.
Among those worst hit is carpenter Abdu Mulwaire, who said he had just completed several furniture orders for clients.
Standing beside the charred remains of his workshop, Mulwaire struggled to hold back his frustration.
"All the furniture I had finished for clients is gone. I don't even know what to do next," he said, adding that all the machines he and his colleagues depended on had also been destroyed.
He appealed for support from well-wishers as he and other craftsmen face the daunting task of rebuilding their businesses from scratch.
Other affected business owners echoed similar fears, saying the incident has left them helpless and uncertain about their future.
They called on government authorities to step in and assist the traders whose livelihoods have been shattered.
Local leaders, led by Robert Lubowa Muteesasira, a representative of the Kabaka, visited the scene and sympathised with the affected traders. He urged government agencies to provide emergency relief and long-term support.
The Deputy Chairperson of Mutungo Zone 2, Eric Abaliwano, commended the Fire Brigade for responding swiftly but lamented that the destruction had already reached severe levels by the time they arrived.
He appealed to humanitarian organisations and good Samaritans to support the affected families and businesses.
Meanwhile, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala confirmed that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
The tragedy adds to a growing pattern of fire outbreaks in Kampala's business communities, renewing calls for stricter fire safety enforcement, improved building standards, and enhanced emergency preparedness in high-risk commercial zones.
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