Traders in Seeta, Goma Division in Mukono Municipality are counting significant losses after a midnight fire outbreak destroyed timber stores near Mogas petrol station along the busy Kampala–Jinja highway.
The blaze, which broke out at around 12:00 a.m., reduced property worth millions of shillings to ashes, disrupting businesses and causing traffic congestion for several hours along one of Uganda’s busiest transport corridors.
According to affected traders, the fire destroyed valuable equipment and merchandise, including sawmills estimated at about Shs50 million, as well as finished products such as chairs, doors, beds, timber, and other wood items.
Many business owners were left devastated, with some expressing uncertainty about how they will recover from the losses.
Eyewitnesses said the fire is believed to have started behind a house belonging to one of the timber dealers before spreading rapidly to nearby structures.
By press time, the exact cause had not been confirmed, although some residents suspect faulty electrical connections could have triggered the blaze.
However, frustration emerged among workers and traders at the scene, with some accusing police and fire brigade teams of delayed response.
“They delayed to come, and when they arrived, they were not effective. At one point, the fire trucks had no water and had to return. We were left helpless as the fire spread,” one worker said.
The situation reportedly improved after a fire brigade unit from Kira arrived with water and managed to contain the flames, although much of the damage had already been done.
Local leaders have since called for improved emergency preparedness. Robert Ssozi, a councillor representing Seeta in Mukono Municipal Council, urged authorities to ensure fire trucks are adequately equipped, particularly with sufficient water supply.
Meanwhile, village chairman Richard Lugoloobi called on electricians to adhere to proper safety standards, warning that poor electrical installations could increase the risk of such incidents.
The fire adds to growing concerns about fire safety and emergency response capacity in rapidly expanding urban trading centres along major highways.
