A family in Mpala Cell, Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District, is grieving after three young girls lost their lives in a house fire while their parents were away.
Reports indicate that a destructive blaze broke out in the family home around 1am, trapping the children inside.
Neighbors rushed to assist, but despite their efforts, they were unable to save the girls, and the fire destroyed the house, leaving the community in shock.
The victims were identified as 12-year-old Ela Namiiro, five-year-old Aman Sarah Namuleme, and three-year-old Tara Namujju.
At the time, their father, Kavuma Lenon, was away in Jinja for work, and their mother, Nalubwama Julie, had reportedly left home to attend a night party.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy PRO ASP Luke Oweyesigyire said that preliminary investigations showed the mother had left the children alone while the father was away, Ugandan media reported.
The Mpala LC1 Chairperson was among the first to alert authorities after neighbors noticed the fire.
Firefighters responded quickly and managed to prevent the flames from spreading, but by then, all three girls had already died.
One of the victims was burnt beyond recognition, while the others were found partly inside and partly outside the burnt structure.
The tragic incident has raised concerns about parental responsibility and the need to ensure children are not left unattended.
Child rights advocates have urged families to exercise greater caution to avoid such preventable tragedies.
Photos shared online showed the three small coffins of the girls placed side by side with their portraits, as mourners wept over the devastating loss.
