Seven vehicles burnt to ashes in Ntinda garage fire

At least seven vehicles were reduced to ashes on Monday afternoon following a fire outbreak at Efforts Garage in Ntinda, a Kampala city suburb.

The blaze, which started around 1:00 pm while mechanics were servicing vehicles — including police patrol cars and private vehicles, quickly spread through the garage, engulfing vehicles and spare parts.

According to Ali Njabire, a mechanic at the garage, the fire erupted after an explosion. “The fire was a shock,” Njabire said.

“We managed to save the police patrol cars that were in for service, but unfortunately, our other clients’ vehicles didn’t survive. The entire garage was filled with smoke, and our priority shifted to saving our lives.”

Although no fatalities were reported, the garage owner, identified only as Boobu, collapsed under stress and was rushed to hospital. Njabire attributed the incident to an electrical short circuit, worsened by the presence of gas.

Other mechanics said the fire spread too quickly for them to intervene, forcing them to call police. Firefighters, however, arrived late, by which time little could be salvaged. Former Nakawa Division deputy resident city commissioner Anderson Burora, who was at the scene, criticized the lack of nearby fire services.

“It’s truly terrible that when fires break out in Ntinda, people are left to fight the fires with buckets, and by the time help arrives, businesses are already reduced to ashes,” Burora said.

“It’s unimaginable that there is not a single fire extinguisher here…KCCA needs to investigate these safety issues. Businesses that fail to meet safety standards shouldn’t operate. I also encourage business owners to learn basic safety measures to protect their businesses.” Burora said.

Last month, more than ten kiosks and part of an arcade were destroyed along Kiwatule Road in Ntinda, while Smart Mini Supermarket in Busega and timber shops in Ndeba were also recently gutted.

Despite the frequency of such disasters, police are yet to release conclusive reports on their causes. The Police Fire and Rescue Services report (2024) noted a 13.8 per cent rise in fire outbreaks, with 1,280 cases recorded compared to 1,104 in 2023.

Experts warn that the spike in urban fires highlights serious fire safety concerns in congested commercial and residential areas, often linked to aging infrastructure, poor wiring, and rapid urbanization.