The four are said to have died in the fire that caught one of the pupils’ dormitories at around 3am this morning. The victims have been identified as Tena Denge, Bashira Nabawesi, Julian Nakalanzi, all in primary one and 7-year-old Hasina Nakawuki, a primary two pupil.
Five pupils
have died in seperate dormitory fires. In Kampala police have
confirmed four pupils died and three others injured in a fire that
gutted New Crest Junior at Kibedi Day and Boarding Primary School
in Kawempe Division.
The four died in the fire that gutted one of the dormitories at around 3 am this morning. The victims have been identified
as Tena Denge, Bashira Nabawesi, Julian Nakalanzi, all in primary one, and
7-year-old Hasina Nakawuki, a primary two pupil.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said
the injured were evacuated to Kyadondo Hospital, Kawempe Division where
they are currently receiving treatment.
“The school and locals managed the fire outbreak and did not bring it to
the attention of the nearest police at Kawempe. This is an act of gross
negligence that caused the death and injuries of the pupils," he
said.
He says a case file of causing death has been opened at Kawempe police
station.
“We are looking into the matter of why police weren't informed on
time to help in the rescue. Our fire prevention and
rescue services are still on the ground with our investigative teams to
ascertain the cause of the fire. Owoyesigyire said.
In Kyotera District, a pupil died after a dormitory at St John’s Primary School
caught fire at around 4:30 am. The pupil has been identified as Savio Kasozi,
a primary four pupil.
According to
Hassan Hiwumbire, the Kyotera District Police Commander, they are yet to
establish the cause of the fire.
District authorities reached the school and agreed to close it
temporarily until further notice.
John Lubwa,
the school director says that unknown arsonists torched the school and it is
not electricity as alleged. He says they are now relying on
the police to investigate and find out who burnt the dormitory.
//Cue in: “
Omuntu owomutima…
Cue out: “…dormitories
endala.”//
The two
incidents have happened six days after schools reopened after two years of
closure following the outbreak of covid-19.
Mugisha James
Freelancer
Davis Buyondo
Freelancer