Kampala Capital City Authority has donated 2 firefighting trucks to the police force to help in the fire and rescue services in the city. This was at a function held at City Hall on Thursday.
Handing over the equipment, KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi said in their efforts to ensure service delivery to the people of Kampala, they thought of partnering with the police in this area.
“We think, the equipment will be useful in case of fire outbreaks and floods. I call upon both the political and technical wings of KCCA to talk less but engage more in working for the people of Kampala,” Musisi said at the function.
She noted that the equipment belongs to KCCA but because they lack man power to operate them, they decided to hand them over to police that would manage them on their behalf.
One of the Fire fighting trucks handed over to police today
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Okoth Ochola praised this gesture as long overdue after Entebbe Municipality and Kayunga town council also purchased similar equipment and handed them over to police.
He however urged KCCA to put in place bylaws to enhance prevention of fire outbreaks in the city on top of sensitizing the population about fire prevention and safety.
Joseph Mugisa, the police Director in charge of fire and rescue services said the trucks are medium sized and each can carry up to a capacity of 20000 liters but with modern pumps and accessories.
“They are a good addition to the existing big size equipment that requires a big capacity to manage. The advantage is that they are small and can maneuver through traffic jam and small inaccessible roads,” Mugisa said.
He highlighted the unplanned settlement especially in the slum areas of Kampala that makes it difficult for fire fighting vehicles to move to areas with disaster, noting that this new equipment are a big boost.
“They are an added advantage because they are fast and can reach areas difficult to reach.”
The equipment according to KCCA officials were a donation to Lubaga mayor Joyce Ssebuggwawo Nnabbosa who handed them over to KCCA.