2012 flames carry along two children in Wakiso

Sombre ending. The children had been locked up in the house by their mother, who preferred to usher in the New Year at a nearby bar.

The excitement of ushering in the New Year might have engulfed the world, but in Kasanje Township, Wakiso District, the story was different - two children were burning away in their house.

Not to miss out on the night’s fun, Ms Aisha Namulondo decided to lock her four-year-old and one-year-old children in the house as she waited for 12th hour at a nearby bar.

Mr Jonathan Gayila, a witness, said he saw smoke emerging from the house as he parked his car in the neighbourhood.

“I called the landlord, who quickly turned off the main switch because electric wires easily spread fire to neighboring homesteads. We raised an alarm and started hitting the doors of the house until they opened,” Mr Gayila said.
He, however, said their efforts were slowed down because the house was small and congested.

“We used water and sand to put out the fire that we think was started by a candle or lantern,” he said.

Mr Henry Luyimbazi, the father of the children, said his wife had left home last week saying she was going to Mpigi Hospital to attend to her aunt.
“They discharged them on December 30 and I asked her to return home but she refused, saying she needed to enjoy the New Year,” he said.

Police attempts
The Kasanje Police Post boss, Mr Livingstone Ssendikadiwa, said they heard an alarm and went to put out the fire in a bid to save other people’s property.
“We managed to put out the fire but unfortunately found the children dead,” he said.

The police boss said they took the children to Mulago mortuary for a postmortem.
Meanwhile, the police are investigating the possible cause of the fire, while searching for the mother, who is now on the run.
Once arrested, police say she would be charged with negligence.

mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com