Police offices at Katwe police station are in tears after the Tuesday afternoon fire left 10 of their huts burnt to ashes. The fire that started at 3pm could not be linked to anything as a possible cause by close of business.
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Luke Owoyesigyire, who is also the acting Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, confirmed that 10 housing units for the police officers were destroyed.
“The Police at Katwe are currently investigating a fire outbreak at Katwe Police Barracks. The fire has destroyed 10 officer housing units. The Police Fire and rescue services responded at the scene and the fire has been managed, no loss of life or injuries registered and much of the property was evacuated by officers,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.
Although police were yet to conclude on anything as cause of the fire, witnesses who preferred anonymity say it was a charcoal stove left inside by one of the police officers’ family. The charcoal stove allegedly produced heat that ignited other household item and later spread to other inputs.
Katwe police station which also serves as headquarter for Kampala metropolitan south region has often found itself in the news. It was attacked with petrol bombs in May last year but the fire was contained at a breakneck speed.