MBARARA CITY: Traders dealing in timber along Major Victor Bwana Road on Makhansing Road are counting heavy losses after a devastating fire broke out in the early hours of the morning, reducing large quantities of timber and other merchandise to ashes.

The fire, which reportedly started at 1:26 a.m., spread rapidly through the timber yards, destroying property worth millions of shillings. The exact cause of the blaze had not yet been established by the time of reporting, as authorities continued with investigations into the incident.

Following the tragedy, Hon. Barugahara Balaam visited the affected business community to assess the extent of the damage and express his solidarity with the victims. During his visit, he sympathized with the traders, many of whom lost their entire stock and source of livelihood in the inferno.

Hon. Balaam acknowledged the enormous financial burden the victims now face and pledged to engage the Government to ensure they receive urgent assistance. He announced that he would present the matter to the Prime Minister, requesting immediate relief and support to help the affected traders recover from the disaster.

In addition, Hon. Balaam pledged to petition President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to consider granting forgiveness to beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) whose businesses and property were destroyed in the fire. He noted that many of the victims had invested PDM funds into their timber businesses and, through no fault of their own, had lost everything in the unexpected disaster.

He emphasized the importance of government intervention, saying that timely support would help the affected traders rebuild their businesses, restore their livelihoods, and continue contributing to the local economy.