MUKONO MUNICIPALITY: 15 APRIL 2026– A massive fire gutted a metal workshop and a neighboring timber store in Mukono Municipality early Wednesday morning, leaving business owners reeling from losses estimated at UGX 100 million.
The blaze broke out at approximately 7:20 AM in Kiwanga–Lwanda Cell, Nantabulirwa Ward. According to police reports, the fire originated at the Birimuye Metal Workshop before quickly spreading to an adjacent timber workshop situated along the busy Kampala–Jinja Highway.
The inferno triggered an immediate response from the Coca-Cola Police Post and the Mukono Fire Prevention and Rescue Services. While firefighters were eventually able to contain the flames, the operation forced a standstill on one of the country’s primary transport arteries.
Duration of Disruption: Approximately 30 minutes will be lost as Vehicles were diverted to alternative routes, causing significant congestion before normalcy was restored.
While no injuries or fatalities were reported, the financial toll is staggering. The timber workshop bore the brunt of the destruction, with the following items lost to the flames: Industrial carpentry machinery, Finished timber products, Door frames and custom-made tables, and Assorted raw materials.
”Significant property damage was recorded… with an estimated loss of UGX 100 million,” stated ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, Deputy Public Relations Officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police.
Cause of fire still Under Investigation
Preliminary eyewitness accounts suggest the fire may have been sparked by a faulty electrical connection in the welding section of the metal workshop. However, police authorities have clarified that the exact cause is still being formally investigated.
In light of the incident, the police have issued a safety advisory urging the public and business owners to prioritize professional electrical installations and adhere to strict fire safety protocols to prevent future disasters.