Woman arrested over couple killed in Kawempe house fire

KAMPALA, UGANDA: Police in Kampala have arrested a 24-year-old woman who is suspected to have set ablaze an apartment in Kawempe, killing two people in the Thursday evening fire incident.

The deceased identified as Patricia, 24, and Kajumba, 27 died in the fire outbreak that gutted the rented double unit occupied by the suspect, now being held at Kawempe division police station in Kampala.

The apartment reportedly belongs to one Grace Sanyu (landlady), a businesswoman and resident of the same area.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, it is alleged that the suspect whose identities were concealed for investigation purposes, received the couple on Thursday morning and sand the fire broke out later that evening while the visitors were still in the house

“It is alleged that she (the suspect) received two visitors only identified as Patricia, 24 (her cousin) and Kajumba, 27, (her friend). She informed us that the visitors went to her place in the morning and the fire broke out later that evening while the visitors were still in the house,” ASP Owoyesgyire said. 

The police spox says Police’s Regional Fire brigade responded and put out the Thursday evening fire at Jinja Kawempe Zone ‘A’ before the two bodies were taken to Mulago City Mortuary for postmortem.

“Statements were recorded from witnesses. Our officers later visited the suspect in the clinic where she had been taken for first aid. She was later referred to Kawempe Hospital for further management,” ASP Owoyesigyire added.

Police cordoned off the scene for further examination by officials from the National Building Review Board, UMEME and other stakeholders to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.

Whereas the tenant had a gas cooker, Owoyesigyire says it was in a store and it remained intact plus the store’s contents further pointing to a deliberate arson attack on the couple to have them killed in the fire incident.