Vendors at the Kigungu Landing site in Entebbe Municipality are facing substantial losses after a massive fire ravaged the area, leaving a trail of destruction. The fire, which broke out on Thursday at approximately 11:00 am, consumed properties worth millions of shillings, including retail shops, households, stalls, and bedding materials.
According to Richard Ssekyondo, Chairperson of Division B in Entebbe Municipality, vendors who rushed to the scene noticed that the fire originated from a woman’s household while she was cooking. Ssekyondo expressed gratitude to the fire brigade and the rescue team from Entebbe International Airport, as well as the Entebbe Police, for their prompt response in extinguishing the fire, despite the challenges posed by poor road accessibility to the landing site.
In response to the recurring incidents, Ssekyondo emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of regulations at the landing site. He proposed the gazetting of designated areas for various activities and implementing guidelines for construction. Ssekyondo stressed the importance of separating cooking areas from other activities to mitigate the risk of fires. He expressed concern over the significant financial losses suffered by vendors due to preventable incidents and called for collective responsibility in ensuring safety.
Ssekyondo appealed to the government for immediate intervention and assistance to aid those who have been left homeless by the fire. This marks the second fire incident at the Kigungu Landing site since December 2021, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the affected vendors.
Mpunge Micheal, the team leader of Red Cross Entebbe, reported that over 320 households have been destroyed, leaving more than 420 people without shelter. The magnitude of the tragedy has left the community in dire need of assistance and support.
Asiimwe Teddy, a vendor at the landing site, expressed dismay over the actions of individuals masquerading as aid volunteers who reportedly stole goods during the rescue operation. This unfortunate incident adds further hardship to the vendors, many of whom had already taken loans to restart their businesses and cover essential expenses such as school fees.
The vendors have reached out to the office of the Prime Minister, seeking urgent help to address their immediate needs and provide a pathway to recovery. The resilience and determination of the affected vendors, coupled with swift government intervention, will be crucial in overcoming the challenges they currently face and rebuilding their lives.
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