Authorities at Kira Division are investigating the tragic death of six family members who perished in a house fire in Bukasa, Kirinya, Bweyogerere, Wakiso District, during the early hours of Thursday morning.
According to reports, the fire broke out around 3:00 am, with residents saying they heard a loud explosion coming from the home of 45-year-old boda boda rider Fred Ssekabira. By the time neighbors responded, the fire had already consumed the house, making any rescue attempts nearly impossible, police said.
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“The police were notified, and our Fire and Rescue Services team quickly responded, managing to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby homes,” said ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, deputy spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police. “Sadly, six bodies were found in the debris after an investigative team assessed the scene.”
The deceased have been identified as Ssekabira, his wife Winnifred Gonja, and their four children: Gloria Nabuya (20), Peace Nakakira (16), Helena Nakamya (9), and Briyan Nebula (7). Their remains have been taken to the City Mortuary at Mulago for postmortem.
While the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, early findings—including accounts from Ssekabira’s acquaintances—suggest he may have been dealing with mental health challenges and showing suicidal tendencies.
Local village leader Twaha Kitanda, the LCI chairperson of Bukasa, shared that Ssekabira had approached them about six months ago with complaints against Ms. Gonja, accusing her of infidelity.
“We held multiple meetings to try and mediate, but the relationship continued to deteriorate. Eventually, Ssekabira began making threats, saying he would do something drastic because he felt unsupported,” Mr. Kitanda said. The matter was eventually referred to Kirinya Police due to its severity.
ASP Owoyesigyire emphasized that while this line of inquiry is being pursued, it remains unconfirmed. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the grieving family and community. Investigations are ongoing, and we are committed to uncovering the full truth behind this devastating incident,” he said.
Neighbor Abdul Okello recounted the chaos of the night. “We were asleep when we heard a loud bang followed by screams. The fire was intense, with thick smoke and extreme heat cutting off the road and making it impossible to reach the house,” he said.
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