MPIGI. Police in Mpigi District are investigating circumstances under which a girls’ dormitory at St John’s Secondary School, Mudduuma got burnt.
The Thursday 5am fire destroyed a section of the girls’ dormitory housing 102 students from various classes, destroying property including mattresses, blankets and suitcases.
The fire reportedly started when all students were attending morning preps and no one was injured.
Students and residents neighbouring the school used water and sand to put out the fire, but it was too late to salvage the students’ property .
“ I was alerted by one of the teachers at 6am and I rushed to the scene , we thank God that no lives have been lost ,however most of the items for the students were destroyed,” Mr Ronnie Ssemyaalo ,a councilor representing Mudduuma Sub County at Mpigi District Council, explained .
Rev Fr Kibirige Ivan , the school head teacher declined to comment about the incident ,saying they had left it to police to investigate and produce a report to the school management .
Mr Ssendyoowa Francis, the Mpigi District secretary for education and health urged school proprietors and managers to ensure the safety of students under their care .
“We have noticed some security lapses which suggest to possible intrusion by arsonists who could have passed through a nearby playground and later sneaked into the girls’ dormitory, we think police will put into account all that during their investigations and give us a report ,” he said
Mr Majid Karim , the Katonga Regional police spokesperson , said investigations are underway to establish what exactly ignited the fire .
“We are investigating that case and we shall inform the public what we have discovered,” he said