AIGP Stephen Tanui
The Director of Fire and Rescue Services in the Uganda Police Force, AIGP Stephen Tanui, has raised concern over the country’s critical shortage of firefighters, warning that the gap continues to undermine effective emergency response despite a decline in fire incidents.
Speaking during the release of the 2025 Police Crime Report on March 30, 2026, Tanui said Uganda’s firefighter-to-population ratio remains far below international standards.
“Uganda currently operates at a ratio of about 1 firefighter to 75,000 people, compared to the United Nations recommended ratio of 1 to 1,200. This is a serious gap that we must address,” Tanui said.
His remarks come even as the report shows a 17.9 percent drop in fire incidents, from 1,595 cases in 2024 to 1,310 in 2025.
Of the total incidents recorded, 1,000 were fire outbreaks while 310 were rescue and emergency operations. Police response teams successfully handled 970 fire incidents, while 20 were managed before their arrival and 10 were false alarms.
Despite improvements in response time—now averaging between one and 15 minutes in Kampala—Tanui noted that limited personnel continues to strain operations, particularly in areas outside major urban centres.
The report indicates that nearly half of all fires, 475 cases (47.5 percent), occurred between 6:00am and 12:00pm, with residential buildings being the most affected, accounting for 600 incidents.
Electricity-related causes were the leading trigger, responsible for 492 fires, followed by negligence involving candles with 86 cases. Suspected arson was also highlighted as a growing concern, accounting for 120 incidents. Other causes included unattended electrical appliances, poor cooking practices, and faulty installations.
Kampala Metropolitan registered the highest number of fire incidents at 264 cases, reflecting the pressure on the limited firefighting workforce in high-density areas.
The report further shows a slight increase in school fires, rising from 55 cases in 2024 to 57 in 2025.
On rescue operations, the Directorate responded to 308 out of 310 reported emergencies, with the most common incidents involving pits (100 cases) and water bodies such as valley dams and fish ponds (46 cases). These operations led to the rescue of 50 people.
Tanui emphasized that while progress has been made in response times and community outreach, the manpower deficit remains a major challenge in scaling services nationwide.
“We have intensified community sensitisation and trained people at the grassroots on basic fire prevention and response, but the need for more personnel and resources remains critical,” he said.
He reiterated the Directorate’s commitment to strengthening fire prevention and response capacity, calling for increased investment in recruitment, training, and equipment to bridge the gap.
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