Seven Vehicles Destroyed in Ntinda Garage Fire

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1346 EAT on Tuesday 9 September 2025

At least seven vehicles were destroyed by fire on Monday afternoon following a blaze at Efforts Garage in Ntinda, a suburb of Kampala.

The blaze broke out at around 1:00 p.m. while mechanics were servicing vehicles—including police patrol cars and private vehicles—and quickly spread through the garage, engulfing multiple vehicles and spare parts.

According to Ali Njabire, a mechanic at Efforts Garage, the fire was triggered by an explosion. “The fire was a shock,” Njabire said. “It happened so fast—we barely had time to react.”

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

“It’s truly terrible that when fires break out in Ntinda, people are left to fight the flames with buckets, and by the time help arrives, businesses are already reduced to ashes,” said Anderson Burora, former Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Nakawa Division.

“It’s unimaginable that there isn’t a single fire extinguisher on site,” he added. “KCCA needs to investigate these safety lapses. Businesses that fail to meet basic safety standards shouldn’t be allowed to operate. I also urge business owners to learn basic fire safety measures to protect their investments.”

The incident comes amid a string of recent urban fires in Kampala. Just last month, more than ten kiosks and part of an arcade were destroyed along Kiwatule Road in Ntinda. Fires also gutted Smart Mini Supermarket in Busega and several timber shops in Ndeba, raising growing concerns over commercial safety and emergency preparedness in the city.

Despite the rising frequency of such incidents, police have yet to release conclusive reports on the causes of recent urban fires. According to the Uganda Police Fire and Rescue Services 2024 report, fire outbreaks increased by 13.8 percent, with 1,280 cases recorded compared to 1,104 in 2023.

Experts warn that the spike in urban fires underscores serious fire safety challenges in densely populated commercial and residential areas. Contributing factors often include aging infrastructure, faulty electrical wiring, and the pressures of rapid, unregulated urbanization.

This story includes reporting from The Observer.

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