Three killed as ‘indebted’ Nansana landlady sets house on fire

Three people, including a landlady, have died in a house fire in Nansana West Ward after the landlady allegedly set the building ablaze in the early hours of Monday.

Police said the fire broke out at about 2 am in a building that had been partitioned into six rental units. The landlady, identified as Violet Nanyombi, is also believed to have died in the fire. Two tenants who perished have been identified as Annet Namulondo and her husband, Isabirye Bumali.

Village chairperson George Mukiibi said Nanyombi reportedly led her nine-year-old daughter out of the house shortly before the fire started. She reportedly gave the child money to clear outstanding school fees and a handwritten note containing a purpoted will.

Mukiibi said the note identified the person who should take care of the child and manage Nanyombi’s property until she turns 18.

“In the note found with her nine-year-old daughter, it was just a will, with no clear reason why she decided to end her life. But in that will, she also mentioned that she had a loan, without disclosing where she got it from, saying she was paying Shs 60,000 daily,” Mukiibi said.

He said the fire had intensified by the time the fire brigade arrived, forcing tenants and neighbours to attempt to contain it using water.

Mukiibi described Nanyombi as a very reserved person and said the circumstances that led to the incident remained unclear.

Nansana Municipality Mayor Sam Mugabi, however, said preliminary information indicated that Nanyombi had been under pressure from moneylenders over an unpaid loan.

“I have received information that she was being harassed by money lenders, who kept calling her from morning to evening yesterday. We should be cautious with money lenders; that is why she was even able to write her will before taking her own life,” Mugabi said.

Mugabi urged community members to speak to neighbours, local leaders or religious leaders when they notice people facing distress that could lead to suicide, particularly where others may also be placed at risk.

Kampala Metropolitan Regional Police commander SSP Moses Nanoka said the incident also highlighted the importance of stronger neighbourhood security and timely communication with police.

“If we had received the call earlier, we might have saved more lives. So far, we have recovered three bodies, and we are waiting for homicide teams to arrive and conduct further investigations. We could find more bodies. The teams will also help us establish what exactly caused the incident,” Nanoka said.

Nanoka urged residents to ensure they have contact details for police officers responsible for their areas and to strengthen neighbourhood watch arrangements.

The Nansana incident comes months after a separate incident in Bunga, Makindye Division, where a woman locked herself inside her house and stabbed her five children, killing two and injuring three, before stabbing herself and attempting to set the house ablaze.

The post Three killed as ‘indebted’ Nansana landlady sets house on fire appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.