Kampala – Traders operating in the Nakasero Market in the Central Division have incurred significant losses following a fire outbreak reportedly caused by an electrical fault in their business premises.
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Our team arrived at the market at 3:00 AM and found traders stranded outside their locked stalls, unable to assess the full extent of the damage. They expressed their frustration directly to our reporter.
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The traders have strongly blamed the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) for the incident. They argue that the authority responsible for overseeing the market has failed to address persistent electrical problems. They specifically pointed to an ageing and overloaded transformer, which serves a large number of people, as the root cause of the danger.
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This disaster has prompted calls for immediate action from the government. There is now strong pressure on the President, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, to dispatch the Minister of State for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Faridah Kimuli, to personally inspect the damage at Nakasero Market. The traders believe Minister Kimuli possesses the necessary understanding of the issue.
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The fire has resulted in extensive damage. Countless items, including stocks of beans and other goods stored in sacks, have been destroyed. The intensity of the fire has made it impossible for traders to separate their salvageable property from the ruins, compounding their losses.
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Dan Nuwabine, the KCCA Spokesperson, also commented on the tragedy. While his full statement is pending, his initial remarks acknowledged the severity of the situation at the historic market.
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Nakasero Market is one of the oldest and most valuable commercial hubs in Uganda and Kampala, having been established in 1927. However, this is not the first time it has faced a devastating fire, despite its crucial role in supplying affordable goods to a vast number of city residents.
