By At least three people have lost their lives following a devastating fire that broke out at Sunrise Hotel in downtown Kampala on Wednesday morning, according to city authorities.
Ms. Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the Metropolitan Area, confirmed that multiple survivors have been rushed to various health facilities, including her clinic in Kisenyi, to receive urgent medical attention. She urged landlords to equip buildings with fire extinguishers to help contain such incidents before they escalate.
Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes, including one victim who tragically lost his life while attempting to escape. According to an onlooker, the man, who had been inside a hotel room, fell to his death after hitting his head on a pavement while trying to flee through a window. “He was only in a towel when the fire broke out. In a panic, it slipped off, and as he attempted to jump, he lost his balance and fell to the ground, dying instantly,” the witness explained.
By midday, ambulances from the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and the Uganda Red Cross were actively evacuating survivors to medical facilities, while the Police Fire and Rescue Services team battled the inferno, which had been raging for over five hours. Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire, and investigations are ongoing.
Kampala City Lord Mayor, Mr. Erias Lukwago, expressed concern over the fire brigade’s capacity to respond effectively to emergencies, calling for urgent improvements. “This fire started early in the morning, yet it is still burning. This clearly indicates a lack of adequate manpower and resources to contain such disasters, a matter that must be addressed immediately,” he said.
The Regional Police Commander for Kampala Metropolitan North, SSP Moses Nanoka, was unable to confirm the exact number of casualties at the time but assured the public that a detailed report would be released later.
By the time of reporting, nearly 20 people had been evacuated from the burning building. Witnesses at the scene suggested that the fire may have originated from a soap-making outlet within the building, following a loud explosion heard moments before the flames erupted. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the tragedy.
