FIRE GUTS RUKUNYU HOSPITAL IN KAMWENGE DISTRICT

HEALTH: IVAN

A devastating fire broke out at the drug store of Rukunyu Hospital in Rukunyu Town Council, Kamwenge District, in the night of Friday December 06, 2024.

The fire caused extensive damage and raised concerns about safety protocols at the facility. The blaze reportedly lasted over three hours, destroying essential drugs, solar batteries, and adjacent medical supplies.

Eyewitnesses described frantic efforts to contain the flames as chaotic and heartbreaking. They say, their efforts to put the fire down were rendered helpless, as blazes were too strong for them to contain.

Kamwenge District Police Commander (DPC), SP Mugira Kato, confirmed the incident but refrained from giving detailed information, citing ongoing investigations.

David Tugume, the male councilor representing Rukunyu Town Council, commended the efforts of the police and locals in trying to prevent the fire from spreading to other hospital buildings.

The hospital’s in-charge, Dr. Ivan Mujuni, revealed that the affected facility housed critical drugs needed for daily operations, citing a significant setback, but the magnitude of the loss is still being assessed.

Rukunyu Hospital serves as a major referral center for Kamwenge and Kitagwenda districts, particularly handling serious child and maternal health cases. The loss of essential medical supplies has heightened fears of service disruptions for the community it serves.

Tugume emphasizedthat this incident has also sparked a conversation about disaster preparedness and safety in health facilities.