A fire broke out at the family quarters ofNsambya Police Barracks in Kampala at around 9:45 p.m. on Sunday, extensively damaging at least one residential unit on the first floor of a three-storey police housing block.
Firefighters from the Uganda Police Fire and Rescue Services responded promptly and managed to contain the blaze before it spread to the rest of the building.
Authorities confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were reported, although furniture and household property in the affected flat were destroyed.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established, with investigations ongoing. Preliminary assessments suggest the blaze may have resulted from an electrical fault or human negligence, which remain among the leading causes of fires in Uganda.
A fire and rescue officer noted that the older police housing blocks helped limit the spread of the fire because they were constructed with more fire-resistant materials.
However, the officer warned that some occupants have modified government housing by installing wooden partitions, a practice that increases fire risk and allows flames to spread more quickly.
The incident follows several recent fires involving police facilities, including the destruction of exhibits at Ntinda Police Barracks in 2023 and Kyebando Police Post earlier this year.
Police have urged both officers and the public to improve fire safety by participating in community fire prevention training and acquiring basic firefighting skills, including the proper use of fire extinguishers.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime and Fire Report 2025, the Fire and Rescue Services responded to 1,847 fire incidents nationwide, with residential buildings accounting for 42% of reported cases. Electrical faults and human negligence were identified as the most common causes.
