Da Dona
Senior Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 134
- 134
A fire outbreak has gutted sections of Katwe Market in Kampala, destroying property worth millions of shillings and leaving traders counting heavy losses in yet another setback for informal vendors already facing growing pressure across the country.
The fire reportedly broke out at around Midnight quickly spreading through several stalls in the densely packed market, which hosts metal workshops, food vendors, and small retail businesses serving the Katwe and Nsambya areas. Firefighters from the Uganda Police Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene and worked to contain the blaze as traders attempted to save their merchandise.
Eyewitnesses say electricity in the area had been fluctuating for several hours prior to the incident, with power reportedly going on and off from around 6:00 p.m. Some traders suspect the blaze could have been triggered by an electrical fault, while others claim they saw an unidentified person allegedly setting part of the market on fire before disappearing(NBS TV interviews with traders) however Authorities have not yet confirmed these claims.
Police say investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause of the fire.
The incident comes at a time when vendors across several Ugandan cities are facing evictions and crackdowns on informal trading as authorities attempt to reorganize urban spaces and remove traders operating in unauthorized areas.
For many Katwe traders, the fire raises urgent questions about livelihood and recovery. Markets like Katwe are a primary source of daily income for thousands of small-scale traders who depend on informal trade to support their families. The destruction of stalls and merchandise means many may struggle to rebuild their businesses, especially in an environment where trading spaces are already shrinking due to ongoing enforcement operations in urban areas.
Authorities say further updates will be provided once investigations into the cause of the fire are completed.
