Fire Destroys Masindi Works Department

Fire has gutted the Masindi District Works Department, destroying equipment worth millions of shillings.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a conflict between the district and neighbors who claim that part of the land housing the works department belongs to them.

Police have urged residents to desist from bush burning, especially during this dry spell, noting that fires can easily spread to neighboring areas and cause significant damage.

According to Saidha Mesach, the Masindi District Entomologist, the fire started in a nearby bush around midday and completely destroyed the entomology store.

“I was at home when the fire started. It has destroyed reagents used to control tsetse flies, which were stored there. Thankfully, I had kept other items, including beehives, elsewhere,” she said.

“We no longer have any storage space for the Entomology office, and this is going to affect our operations,” she added.

Alfred Ochen, the Acting Masindi District Engineer, noted that upon receiving information about the fire, they immediately informed the police, who arrived in time to prevent the fire from spreading to other buildings.

The entomology store and several other unoccupied, dilapidated structures at the works department are surrounded by overgrown bushes.

Ochen revealed that there is an ongoing conflict between the district and its immediate neighbors over the ownership of part of the land where the works department is located.

He suggested that this could have motivated some unscrupulous individuals to set the area on fire.

“The impasse has never been resolved, and this fire could have cost the district a lot. My appeal to the concerned authorities is to intervene and resolve this impasse to prevent further losses,” said Ochen.

Moses Kiirya, the Masindi District Council Speaker, confirmed that the district is making efforts to resolve the conflict.

“As the council, we are aware of the impasse and have resolved that the land be fenced to prevent such occurrences. This will be done soon,” he stated.

Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police spokesperson, warned residents in the region against unnecessary bush burning, especially during this dry spell, emphasizing its potential dangers.