By Ben MusanjeWakiso District recorded the highest number of fire outbreaks in Uganda in 2025, according to the annual crime report presented by AIGP Stephen Tanui, Director of Fire and Rescue Services, who outlined both progress and persistent challenges in emergency response across the country.Presenting the statistics at the release of the 2025 Police Annual Crime Report in Naguru, Tanui revealed that Wakiso registered 54 fire incidents, placing it at the top among affected regions. He noted a shift from 2024, when Makindye division in Kampala led with 162 cases but has since seen a significant drop to 14 following targeted interventions.Overall, the Directorate handled 1,310 incidents in 2025, down from 1,595 cases recorded in 2024, representing a 17.9 percent decrease. Of these, 1,000 were fire-related incidents, while 310 involved special rescue operations.“These rescues include situations where people are trapped in burning buildings, involved in road accidents, or drowning in water bodies,” Tanui explained, adding that the reduction reflects improved public cooperation and awareness.Despite the decline, Kampala Metropolitan remains a hotspot, recording 264 fire incidents, with the majority occurring in residential buildings. Electrical faults emerged as the leading cause, accounting for 600 cases, while negligence—particularly misuse of candles—contributed to 492 incidents.Tanui highlighted a critical behavioral challenge, noting that many Ugandans delay contacting emergency services. “Before a victim of fire calls the police, they first attempt to manage it themselves. By the time they reach out, valuable time has been lost,” he said.The report indicates that fire outbreaks are most frequent between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., a period when many homes are left unattended as residents head to work, often leaving electrical appliances running.While response times have improved—ranging between one and 15 minutes within Kampala—Tanui cited traffic congestion and delayed reporting as ongoing obstacles. In some recent cases, fire teams have reached scenes in as little as three minutes.The Directorate also reported a reduction in false alarms, with only 12 recorded in 2025, down from significantly higher figures the previous year.However, manpower remains a major concern. Uganda currently operates at a ratio of one firefighter per 75,000 people, far below the United Nations recommended standard of one firefighter per 1,200 people. “We still face serious challenges in staffing,” Tanui noted.Special rescue operations accounted for 310 incidents, including 33 major road accidents and numerous cases involving victims trapped in pits, valley dams, and fishponds. In one of the more disturbing trends, officers rescued around 100 individuals—mostly infants—discarded in pit latrines, highlighting a growing social concern.“There are very risky operations where officers must enter confined and hazardous spaces to save lives,” Tanui said.The report also recorded a slight increase in school fires, rising from 55 cases in 2024 to 57 in 2025. Tanui attributed this to ongoing challenges but noted that intensified fire safety training and drills in schools are beginning to yield results.Public education efforts have expanded nationwide, with the Directorate conducting fire drills and training communities on prevention and first response. Tanui said more Ugandans are now proactively seeking training, a shift from previous years when fire safety was largely overlooked.Key causes of fires were identified as unattended electrical appliances, faulty wiring by unqualified technicians, arson—particularly during the dry season—and gas cylinder explosions due to poor maintenance.Tanui commended the public for increased cooperation but urged greater vigilance, particularly in early reporting and adherence to safety practices.“We have made progress, but the risks remain high. Fire safety must be taken seriously at both household and institutional levels,” he said. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).