NRM parish chairperson says he lost sh23 million in ceiling after house burns

Mukono, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Police in Mukono are investigating circumstances under which the house of Esimafesi Wandera, the National Resistance Movement-NRM chairperson for Ssozi Parish in Mpatta sub county was set on fire, and he lost sh23 million he had hidden in the ceiling.

At around 1pm, Wandera’s neighbors saw flames coming out of the house and made an alarm, but the efforts of the village members to stop the fire failed.

As a results, household materials worthy millions were turned into ash. These included a sofa set, television set, beds, clothes and important documents.

Wandera, the father of 20 children, said he suspects that the one who burnt the house must have targeted the sh23 million he had kept in the bedroom ceiling.

Two days ago, Wandera claims to have sold off land at Mpatta trading center with an intention of buying another huge chunk of land in Buvuma district.

At the time of the fire, the entire family was busy in the garden, the incident happened and they missed a chance of saving anything.

Rose Babirye, a student in senior four and daughter Wandera says she has lost all her school materials such as books, clothes and text books. She wonders how she will push on with studies especially during this testing period of the coronavirus.

Ssozi LCI Chairperson Lawrence Kiwanuka appeals to people of good will to rescue his resident by donating to him household materials. He notes that as a village they lost events materials such cooking and table materials they bought to use at various functions and were keeping them at his place.

Kiwanuka suspects that the house may have been set on fire by idle youths addicted to drugs who are increasing in the community of Mpatta especially during this lockdown.

However, the Mukono Acting Police Divisional Commander Ismael Kifudde says investigations are still ongoing before coming up a conclusion into the matter.

He condemns the act saying it leads to underdevelopment and risks lives.

Meanwhile, residents have mobilised to set up a temporary shelter for the family.

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