By KT Reporter
Residents and business owners in the greater Nebbi districts are breathing a sigh of relief following the establishment of a fire brigade unit in Nebbi district — a long-awaited intervention after years of devastating fire outbreaks that have claimed lives and destroyed property worth billions.
“We’ve faced painful losses because help often arrived too late. Now, with this fire brigade unit in place, we finally have hope,” said Robert Anecho, a local businessman. He recalled the 2021 incident at Goli Customs where a fuel tanker burst into flames, burning two vehicles and five houses while awaiting clearance. “Having the firefighting truck in Arua, 78 kilometers away, was simply impractical for emergencies here.”
Similarly, Onega Innocent, LC III Chairperson of Paidha Town Council, said the establishment of the unit in Nebbi is a necessary first step. However, he stressed that without improvements to the district’s road network, the fire brigade’s effectiveness could be compromised. “It’s one thing to have the fire truck; it’s another for it to reach hotspots like Paidha, Padea, Erussi, and Panyimur in time,” he said.
Following intense pressure from local leaders, the government of Uganda, through the Uganda Police Services, responded by setting up the fire brigade unit at Nebbi Central Police Station. This decision follows a string of destructive fires, including the one that engulfed Garamba produce stores in Rock View Cell, Nebbi Municipality, last month.
Agness Acibu, Woman Member of Parliament for Nebbi district, emphasized the urgency of the intervention. “Given the long distance to Arua, which had the only firefighting truck in the entire West Nile, our district was in a vulnerable position. This new unit is vital not only for responding to fires but also for safeguarding booming border trade with DR Congo,” she said.
She urged the government not to treat this as the final solution but to also prioritize road infrastructure to support emergency response and economic growth. Collins Asea, Police Public Relations Officer for the West Nile region, confirmed that the new unit will serve Nebbi, Pakwach, Zombo, and Madi-Okollo districts.
“This is part of a broader plan to bring police services closer to the community. It marks a significant step toward improving emergency response in the region,” he said. He added that the Uganda Police had long intended to decentralize fire services in the region due to the challenges posed by its vast geography and the limitations of relying solely on the Arua-based unit-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
