At least two people are behind bars in regard to the fire that gutted the ministry of agriculture on Sunday morning. The duo in custody include Jerry Ajambo and Eunice Namusimbi who are all cleaners attached to the ministry.
Assistant Superintendent of Police -ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, said the fire was responded to by Wandegeya police station.
“The fire broke out at about 11am. Our fire prevention and rescue services responded at the scene on time and are currently dealing with the situation. However, the cause of the fire is still unknown,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.
It is speculated that Ajambo and Namusimbi would often burn their rubbish every Sunday. Police believe the fire that burnt the chemical stores could have spread from the rubbish which was being burnt behind the stores. Even though the fire was put off by firefighters from the directorate of fire and rescue services, chemicals worth billions of shillings had already been reduced to ashes.
Among the burnt items were containers for animal sperms and other research developments. The burnt ministry is located along Buganda road in the central business district.
“Preliminary information gathered by the officers indicates that the storekeepers always burn rubbish every Sunday and it is suspected the wind could have blown the fire inside the store since the burning point is close to the stores,” ASP Owoyesigyire added.
By press time, fire investigators were picking exhibits with hope of understanding the exact cause of the fire. Fire has been gutting schools, factories and government offices ever since the year started.