Police have said they have launched investigations into a suspected arson attack after a house belonging to social media personality, Magala Balikyewunya also known as Mzee Magala was gutted by fire in Bunyaka Village, Luweero Town Council, Luweero District, in the early hours of November 8.
According to police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, police received information about a house fire at around 3am and responded to the scene, where they established that the property belonged to Magala Balikyewunya.
The fire was eventually extinguished by police, but substantial damage had already been caused to the house.
Rusoke said Magala was not at home when the incident occurred because he had been remanded to was remanded to Butuntumula Government Prison on Thursday, November 5, 2026, after being charged with attempted murder.
He dismissed claims that Magala was being held in police cells, clarifying that he was in prison on remand.
The incident has raised suspicions of arson, with members of Magala’s family and social media commentators alleging that the fire was deliberately set.
Rusoke said the family’s allegations had prompted police to investigate the incident as a suspected arson case.
“There are allegations that it was arson, and the family makes that allegation. This has prompted us to conduct investigations along that line,” Rusoke said.
He added that investigations were ongoing and police would provide further information once sufficient details had been established.
He added that Magala is facing charges arising from a land-related dispute in which injuries were sustained, including an attempted murder case.
Rusoke said investigators would establish the circumstances surrounding the fire and determine whether it was deliberately started.
“If it is an arson, we shall establish what exactly happened,” he said.
Police however warned members of the public against taking laws into their hands.
