At first, the gatekeepers and policemen insisted that no parent was going to be allowed in for security purposes as more parents continued arriving each passing minute pleading to see their children.
Parents
stormed New Crest Junior at Kibedi Day and Boarding Primary School in Kawempe
Division on Saturday demanding to meet their children following a fire outbreak
that gutted the girl's dormitory.
The Parents
started arriving at the school on foot, with Boda Boda motorcycles and private
vehicles demanding that the school opens its gates to allow them to see their
children physically.
Four pupils
died in the fire that gutted one of the girl’s dormitories at around 3
am on Saturday morning. The victims have been identified as Tena Denge, Bashira
Nabawesi, and Julian Nakalanzi, all in primary one, and 7-year-old Hasina Nakawuki,
a primary two pupil.
Three other pupils who sustained injuries were evacuated to Kyadondo Hospital,
Kawempe Division where they received first aid before being transferred to
Mulago National Referral hospital.
At first, the gatekeepers and policemen insisted that no parent was going to be
allowed in for security purposes as more parents continued arriving each
passing minute pleading to see their children.
However,
they were overpowered by the parents and residents who forced themselves inside
the school premises in search of their children.
Stella Nandaula,
a sister to Nakalanzi, broke down in tears when she was told that her young sister
had perished in the fire.
//Cue in: “
tetuba kumanya …
Cue out: “…kyavuddeko mulilo.”//
Peter
Omoding, another parent with two pupils in primary five class, says he lost his
mind when he learned about the fire outbreak and all he wanted was to physically
confirm that his children were safe. He faults the Ministry of Education for rushing
to reopen schools without carrying out inspections.
/Cue in: “Ministry of education should…
Cue out: “…wake up and.”//
Lukyamunzi
Toney, one of the school neighbors, says that the police fire brigade delayed arriving at the school because the school management and residents did not
have the contacts.
/Cue in: “ twabadde tugezako…
Cue out: “… naye enumber nga.”//
Although the school management declined to comment on the incident, one of the
teachers said that a team from UMEME visited the school and ruled out electricity
as the cause of the fire.
“The school called the UMEME team that checked out our meter, and climbed the
poll, but no problem was found up there. So I can't really say much really
we’re still waiting for the report from the police about the cause of the fire,”
the teacher said.
Earlier Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire says
that three teachers have recorded statements as the investigations into the
cause of the fire continues.
Mugisha James
Freelancer