A fire outbreak at St. Bernard Secondary School, Manya in Rakai district has left ten students dead and several others in a critical condition.

On Sunday 11^th November at around midnight, a boy’s dormitory at the school caught fire and burnt students who were in, together with their property.

This dormitory which housed around 50 students was allegedly locked from outside, and the students had no way of escaping, according to an eye witness, Kayanja Kabogere. “We had to use an axe to open the door and only managed to save 20 students,” Kayanja said after the incident.

The dead students are Timothy Bukenya, Charles Suuna, Sam Nsubuga, Hudson Byamukama, Sharif Toyita, Antonio Sekitende, Maurice Basiita, Emma Kasozi, Antonio Ssozi and one only identified as Jjunju.

The injured students have been admitted to different hospitals including Masaka Regional Hospital, Manya Health Centre and Kalisizo hospital.

At the crime scene, there were signs the fire was set using petrol.

A few suspects along with the school warden have been arrested to help in police investigation, with police following the lead that students who were suspended from the school could have set up the fire. Ben Nuwamanya, the Rakai District Police Commander the suspended students are the prime suspects.

The Minister of Education and Sports, also First Lady, Janet Museveni rushed to the scene Monday afternoon. “It is the responsibility of the government to search and find the people who did this so that they be punished accordingly; and we shall do it,” she said.

Courtesy Photo