OKAPI GIN’S PREMIDIS FACTORY IN ARUA TURNS INTO ASHES

By Morish Dramadri

Arua

A multimillion Gin factory in Etoleni village, Kuluva parish, Vurra Sub County in Arua district was on Friday May 23, 2025 brought down into ashes following a fire outbreak at the facility at around 11am in the morning.

According to some sources on ground, the fire that consumed Premidis limited the manufacturers of Okapi gin based in Arua started as the company electrician was helping to address an electrical hitch at the factory side.

Munguacel Michael the regional fire prevention and rescue officer West Nile who was at the scene by press time confirmed the incidence. “it was around 11am when we received a call about this fire at Premidis when we came here the situation was tense and the danger is very much, as per now I cannot give full detail about the incident but this is the preliminary I can give,” Munguacel confirmed.

Though the level of destruction was not yet established by press time, observation at the scene showed vehicles ferrying out rescued products for safety as the internal workers at the facility attempted to fight the fire using the four fire extinguishers at the facility.

Munguacel however admonished proprietors of facilities such as this, to have mitigation measures in place against such incidence. “the fire hydrants are not here, when we finish the water in the truck, we have to go back to fill at the station, have fire hydrants in place you have seen the challenges in place, by the time you come back the fire had already become bigger,” Munguacel warned.

By press time efforts to get detailed information from the management of Premises limited was unsuccessful as they were taken up to rescue the situation together with the fire prevention and rescue police of West Nile but reports on ground reveal no fatality registered.

COVER PHOTO: A team of electricians from WENRECO at the scene to rescue the situation from electric short circuit By Morish Dramadri