By Joseph Kiggundu
WAKISO. Two pupils are confirmed to died in a fire that gutted a dormitory block at Hami Junior School in Maganjo, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, on Monday night, raising concerns over the safety of learners in boarding schools and unreliable electricity supply.
The deceased were identified as Rania Namusoke, a Primary One pupil, and Abdulshakur Bwete, a Primary Three pupil.
The fire reportedly broke out at about 10:30pm, prompting teachers, residents and police officers to rush to the school to rescue the children.
Mr John Kiwanuka, the chairperson of Maganjo B Cell, said he received information about the incident at around 11pm and immediately responded.
He said residents joined teachers and police officers in evacuating the children from the dormitories, but two pupils were later discovered missing.
“On searching the dormitories, their bodies were found in the beds where they died,” Mr Kiwanuka said.
He added that the fire was extinguished at about 3am on Tuesday.
Mr Charles Lwanga, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Nansana Municipality, confirmed the death, saying investigations were ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.
“I have been informed that one of the deceased was around nine years old. Investigations are still going on. We shall inform you once the police report is out,” he said.
Mr Lwanga urged the public to ensure that potential sources of fire, including charcoal stoves and gas cylinders, are switched off before going to bed.
ASP Godfrey Asiimwe Muteera, the community liaison officer for Kawempe Division, said authorities would convene a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the way forward following the tragedy.
“The school operation has to resume because children have to study. We shall see how to do it,” he said.
The scene was cordoned off with no person allowed to access the school premises as police carried out the investigations.
Residents suspect that the fire could have been caused by an electrical fault linked to intermittent power supply in the area.
Mr Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa, the Nansana Municipality MP, said residents had repeatedly raised concerns about frequent power interruptions across the areas that make up his constituency.
He said he would raise the matter in Parliament to push for interventions to address the problem and prevent further incidents.
Mr Zambaali cited a Monday night fire at Ivory Hotel in Nansana, which caused significant damage to the premises, as another incident that had raised concerns about electricity-related fires.
“The Nansana Division Police Commander has confirmed to me that this fire was caused by electricity. Power in this area is always on and off, which creates high chances of creating short circuits,” he said.
Mr Kiwanuka also highlighted concerns over unreliable electricity supply in the area, although he noted that power was on when the school fire broke out.
He urged parents to remain strong as security agencies investigate the incident and establish what caused the deaths of the two pupils.
ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan deputy spokesperson emphasized the need for regular inspections of electrical wiring and installations by certified technicians, warning against overloading sockets and extension cords.
He urged institutions, especially those housing children or large numbers of people, to install accessible fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and clearly marked emergency exits, alongside conducting routine evacuation drills.