news 16 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Devastating Fire Razes Katwe Market, Leaving Traders in Tears
A fierce fire swept through Katwe Market in Kampala early Monday, destroying merchandise worth millions of shillings and leaving vendors devastated. Traders like Nusurah Nayiga reported losses exceeding Shs4 million in charcoal and other goods. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/fire-leaves-trails-of-destruction-in-katwe-market-5392288
A massive fire broke out in the early hours at Katwe Market in Katwe II Parish, Makindye Division, Kampala, reducing stalls and goods worth millions to ashes. Traders arrived Monday morning to find their livelihoods in ruins.
Nusurah Nayiga, overcome with emotion, shared that she lost 60 sacks of charcoal valued at Shs4 million, which she had stocked just hours before the blaze at 8pm Sunday.
Sarah Nansubuga lamented stocking fresh vegetables worth Shs600,000 the previous evening, now completely destroyed. James Kato, a food retailer, noted the flames spread rapidly, preventing most rescue efforts.
Prossy Namirembe lost over Shs1 million in plastic household items and utensils, her sole income source. Zahra Luyirika, the local MP-elect, explained residents spotted smoke and alerted others, but the fire had already engulfed multiple stalls by then.
Traders suspect an electrical fault, pointing to inconsistent power connections observed around 10pm. Firefighters arrived near 1am, though one truck lacked water. Police have yet to confirm the cause.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)