Ndeeba’s timber market in Kampala is grappling with devastation after another fire outbreak caused massive destruction. The recurring fires—often starting at night and rapidly spreading across key zones like Mpomba, Kasumba, and Ssuuna have worried traders.
In the latest incident, tensions boiled over when the fire brigade, arriving with an insufficient water supply, struggled to contain the fast-spreading blaze. Frustrated and desperate, locals turned on the fire crew, chasing them away and deciding to battle the flames on their own.
The chaos underscores growing concerns about Kampala’s emergency preparedness and the fragile relationship between authorities and the community during crises.
While some steps had been taken previously—such as digging underground water reservoirs to aid in firefighting—this latest disaster reveals that these efforts are still falling short. Calls to keep water stored near stalls have been helpful but insufficient against the scale and frequency of the fires.
The ongoing losses have left many traders in financial distress, burdened by loans they now struggle to repay.
Seeking a way forward, affected residents have reached out to Bukomansimbi North MP, Hon. Mukasa Aloysius, for dialogue on possible interventions and future safeguards.
As Ndeeba’s community works to rebuild yet again, urgent attention is needed to address the root causes behind these recurring fires. Strengthening security, upgrading firefighting infrastructure, boosting emergency planning, and ensuring thorough investigations after each incident are critical to preventing future devastation.
