Politics 17 March 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Shadow Minister Calls for Urgent Action on Kampala Market Fires
Hon. Gonzaga Ssewungu, Shadow Minister of Education and MP for Kalungu West, raised alarms in Parliament over frequent market fires in Kampala, including a devastating blaze at Katwe Market that razed over 700 businesses. He demanded a government report and urged KCCA to install fire hydrants amid concerns over inadequate safety measures. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4303/shadow-minister-demands-action-over-market-fires
During a parliamentary session on March 17, 2026, Hon. Gonzaga Ssewungu highlighted the growing threat of fires in Kampala markets, pointing to massive losses for traders.
A recent inferno at Katwe Market on March 15 destroyed more than 700 businesses, leaving property worth millions of shillings in ruins. Ssewungu questioned the Kampala Capital City Authority’s (KCCA) response, noting similar incidents in Jinja and the lack of fire hydrants in storage buildings and arcades.
He called for the government to explain the causes and deliver a detailed report. Speaker Anita Among directed the House to allocate funds for KCCA’s challenges and suggested reviewing a committee report on the authority’s issues.
Attorney General Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka promised to raise the matter with KCCA leadership and the Kampala Minister.
In a related debate, Leader of Opposition Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi questioned KCCA’s arrest of vendors attempting to demolish a building that the authority later razed itself. Shadow Minister for Kampala Hon. Ronald Balimwezo echoed these concerns, noting two lives lost and demanding accountability from the Executive Director.
Balimwezo sought a probe committee, but Speaker Among ruled it unnecessary, as KCCA would face scrutiny from the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises.
Source: Parliament of Uganda