Fires seemed to have returned to haunt schools!
Several schools in the recent years have had their dormitories torched losing property in millions.
Hardly a weekly when a dormitory at Nalya School in Namugongo had a dormitory torched when students were in for prep, another school Emma High School in Kisasi last saw senior two dormitory turned to ashes.
Police who moved in quickly with UMEME revealed that no student was hurt but a lot of property was destroyed.
On April 14, 2008 Budo Junior School dormitory was set ablaze and 19 children lost their lives and according to police, the fire was caused by arsonists. In regards to this, the matron, four watchmen and former headmaster are still on trial for criminal negligence, not igniting the fire.
Between April 7, 2008 and March 11, 2009, there were at least 95 fire incidents in schools all over the country, according to police statistics.
In the months of January, February and March of 2009, at least seven schools and six markets were set on fire with varying degree of damage: Kibibi Secondary School in Mpigi, Masaka Islamic School and Kakungulu Memorial School both in Masaka, Maracha Secondary School in Arua which was burnt twice, Kingsway School on Entebbe Road in Wakiso, Pariet Preparatory Mixed School in Kitintale- Kampala, and Kikonda Primary School in Kabwoya sub-county, Hoima which was burnt on March 13.
Schools will have to step security at their premises to ensure their property is secure from errant students and intruders with selfish motives.
Award winning journalist and writer who has worked as a stringer for a couple of acclaimed South Africa based German journalists, covered 3 Ugandan elections, 2008 Kenya election crisis, with interests in business and sports reporting.
