STAFF REPORTER
Police have launched an investigation following a fire that gutted a dormitory at Nyakabanga Senior Secondary School in Kyabugimbi Sub County on Monday morning. The fire, which broke out at around 10:00 a.m., destroyed students’ personal belongings, including mattresses, books, suitcases, and blankets.
The incident occurred while all students were in class, with the alarm initially raised by nearby residents. “We first heard an alarm from our neighbors and rushed to the scene. Immediately, our students and well-wishers began efforts to extinguish the fire, which had engulfed one of the dormitories,” reported Mr. Bonney Barinyenka, the school’s headteacher.
Mr. Barinyenka expressed frustration over the lack of firefighting equipment in the Bushenyi greater region, highlighting that when the school attempted to seek assistance from the Rwizi region, they were informed that their firefighting equipment had been out of service for years. “It’s disappointing that we lack basic firefighting tools in this entire region. The authorities should investigate the cause of the fire, but we can rule out electricity as the power was off at the time.”
The dormitory, which housed 40 students, was severely damaged, and Mr. Barinyenka has since called on parents to assist affected students who now have only their uniforms.
Greater Bushenyi police spokesperson Mr. Marcial Tumusiime confirmed the region’s inability to respond promptly due to equipment issues. “Our firefighting equipment has been damaged and is currently parked at the regional fire offices. When we contacted neighboring districts like Mbarara and Rukungiri for assistance, they reported similar challenges,” Mr. Tumusiime stated.
This incident marks the second major fire in Bushenyi District within a month, following a fire at Rwentuha Primary School that destroyed a girls’ dormitory, causing losses valued in the millions. Police are continuing their investigation to determine the cause of the Nyakabanga fire.
