Kalangala Fire Victims Face Renewed Hardship Amidst Recurring Disasters

The coastal communities of Kalangala are grappling with the aftermath of recent fire outbreaks that have left many residents homeless and their livelihoods in ruins. Victims like Aloysius Katerega and Justine Nabatanzi have been hit hard, facing not only the loss of their homes and belongings but also the immense challenge of starting over, often multiple times.

Mr. Katerega, a fisherman, lost his home twice in a matter of months due to fires at the Kaazi-Malanga landing site. The first incident, stemming from a domestic dispute, saw him lose his dwelling. While attempting to rebuild, another fire swept through the area, destroying his temporary rental and leaving him in a precarious financial situation, now dependent on a less profitable charcoal business.

Similarly, 74-year-old Justine Nabatanzi found her efforts to regain independence through a small mandazi business thwarted by the recurring fires. After losing her home in May, she managed to secure a small rented room and start a business, only to see it all consumed by flames months later. She now shelters in a makeshift structure, lacking basic necessities and hoping for humanitarian assistance.

The fires have not only decimated homes but also critical local businesses, including mobile money kiosks, charcoal stores, bars, and fishing gear depots. Local leaders, such as LC1 chairperson Ashiraf Ssenoga, report that over 20 houses were destroyed in the latest incident, with residents losing money, electronics, food, and essential tools for their livelihoods. The causes of many of these fires remain undetermined, with police investigations pending.

Historically, Kalangala has been prone to such disasters, with police records indicating numerous fire incidents over the years. Factors contributing to these outbreaks include the poor storage of fuel, common in wooden houses, and the use of cooking stoves in close living quarters. Authorities have deployed a fire truck to the district, but residents question its response time and effectiveness, citing delays and challenges in reaching fire sites due to poor physical planning and narrow access roads.

In response to the persistent threat, local leaders are considering long-term measures, including allocating funds for disaster response and developing better physical plans for landing sites to mitigate future losses. The hope is to provide a starting point for affected individuals and reduce the scale of destruction when fires inevitably strike again.

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kalangala-fire-victims-struggle-to-rebuild-shattered-livelihoods-5616946