Fire Destroys Property Worth Millions, Leaves Over 200 Traders Counting Losses in Mbale City
MBALE CITY, Uganda — Hundreds of traders and carpenters were left devastated after a massive fire swept through business premises in Mbale City on Wednesday night, destroying property worth millions of shillings.
The fire broke out at approximately 10:30 p.m. on June 10, 2026, at Mukanga near Fahaab Petrol Station in Bugema, Industrial Division, engulfing kiosks, workshops, and business buildings before emergency responders could bring it under control.
More than 200 traders and carpenters were affected by the inferno, which destroyed furniture, machinery, merchandise, and other valuable property.
Witnesses said flames spread rapidly through the business area, reducing several structures to ashes and leaving many business owners facing significant financial losses.
Robert Wakoba, one of the affected carpenters, said the police fire brigade responded with two fire trucks in an effort to contain the blaze. However, by the time firefighters arrived, much of the property had already been destroyed.
Wakoba appealed to the government for support, noting that many of the affected traders and artisans had invested heavily in their businesses through bank loans and now face uncertainty about their livelihoods.
Another trader, Ivan Wakalanga, said no fatalities or injuries were reported because the fire erupted after most business operators had closed their premises and returned home.
Police have since launched investigations into the cause of the fire.
Elgon Region Police spokesperson Rogers Taitika confirmed the incident and said authorities are working to establish what triggered the blaze.
The incident has raised concerns about fire safety in business centers across Mbale City, with affected traders calling for increased support and preventive measures to protect businesses from similar disasters.
The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but preliminary estimates indicate that property worth millions of shillings was lost in one of the city’s most destructive fire incidents in recent months.
