Masaka, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — The death toll from a tragic boys’ dormitory fire at a children’s school in Masaka City has reached seven, according to official reports.
Initially, by the end of Monday, four students from Kasaana Junior School had been confirmed dead, including pre-primary pupils Aloysius Ahebwa and Katende Malik. However, by Tuesday afternoon, authorities confirmed three additional fatalities, bringing the total to seven. The fire started due to a short circuit while matron Christine Adong was charging her phone.
The affected dormitory housed approximately 15 children from Top and P1 classes, as per the police.
In light of these incidents, the police are urging school proprietors to adhere to state recommendations to prevent school fires. This includes following Ministry of Health and Education guidelines, such as not having burglar-proof bars on dormitory windows and using double instead of triple-decker beds.
Southern region deputy police commander SP Jamada Wandera stated that a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the root cause of the fire. This incident is part of a series of school fires in Uganda during the month of October, raising concerns and emphasizing the need for improved safety measures in educational institutions.
