Jinja: A swift response from the Kiira Regional Fire Brigade on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, prevented a potentially disastrous fire at SW Bonded Warehouse in Jinja City along Eng. Zikusooka Road.
The warehouse, which temporarily stores imported goods, caught fire, but thanks to the bravery and efficiency of the fire officers, the blaze was contained.
Regional Fire Officer SP Manisulu Isabirye quickly dispatched his team and fire trucks to the scene, receiving support from external stakeholders, including TASO, GM Sugar Limited, and Nytil.
Fortunately, no lives were lost, and no vehicles were damaged in the incident. The fire was also prevented from spreading to the nearby neighborhood, which houses UNOC oil tanks.
Peter Brown Kyemba, a mechanic at a nearby garage on Spire Road who witnessed the blaze, described the fire outbreak as “mysterious” and unexpected.
“I was there when it happened,” Kyemba said. “I saw a small blaze in the air, and it quickly grew. We immediately gathered to contact the authorities.”
According to Kyemba, a staff member at the warehouse was connecting an electric compressor, which allegedly sparked the blaze.
Although the police arrived promptly, the fire had already spread. Fortunately, the damage was minimal, and no one was injured.
In a heroic effort, warehouse staff used their bare hands to push vehicles to safety, preventing further damage. Kyemba’s eyewitness account provides insight into the chaotic scene that unfolded during the fire outbreak.
Residents expressed their gratitude to the police for their swift response. The RPC Kiira Region, SSP Charles Nsaba, and other officers were present at the scene, providing strategic direction.
“The efforts of the fire officers significantly prevented the fire from spreading to the neighborhood that houses UNOC oil tanks. No lives were lost, no injuries were reported, and no vehicles were damaged, even though the warehouse also serves as a parking yard,” said SP James Mubi, the spokesperson for Kiira Regional Police.
The police are now urging the city building control committee to involve the regional fire officer in planning efforts to enhance fire safety measures.
“The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. However, police appeal to the city building control committee (BCC) to include the regional fire officer in planning discussions for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to city development,” Mubi emphasized.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, along with an assessment of the damage to goods stored in the warehouse.
This latest fire at SW Bonded Warehouse has sparked concern among Jinja residents and authorities, who are increasingly alarmed by the frequency of devastating fire outbreaks in the city.
Just 16 days earlier, on February 9, 2025, a massive fire ravaged Noah Garage along Spire Road, leaving one person dead and destroying property worth millions of shillings. The incident eerily echoes a similar fire outbreak in the same locality last year.
Residents are demanding answers and accountability, particularly given the close proximity of these incidents. The stretch from Spire Road to Eng. Zikusooka Road is only a few meters, yet the recurrence of such destructive fires has left the community feeling vulnerable and frustrated.
The lack of conclusive reports and follow-up actions has only fueled their concerns, leaving many residents feeling neglected and unprotected.
