By Charles Etukuri
The Police on Tuesday, June 7, said it is investigating the circumstances under which two pupils burnt their school dormitories in Kasokoso in Kira Municipality, and in Nabbingo, both in Wakiso district.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga identified the two schools as Young Elite Primary School in Kasokoso and MH Junior School Nabbingo, which were set ablaze by two separate undisciplined pupils aged 11 and 16 who were fed up with their schools.
“The territorial Police in Kampala Metropolitan East and Kampala Metropolitan South are investigating two separate incidents of arson, on school dormitories. The facts gathered indicated that on June 3, 2022, a 16-year-old Primary 7 pupil of Young Elite School, Kasokoso, Kira Municipality, packed his school items and returned home, where he told his parents that he was no longer interested in school,” Enanga said.
He noted that the student’s parents instead forced him to return to school.
“Upon reaching school, the suspect set his property on fire, which spread and burnt seven other mattresses, clothes, school uniforms, four beds, one dispenser and part of the roof to the dormitory. The suspect escaped from school and is still at large. It is fortunate that no pupils got injured since they were in class. However, properties valued at approximately sh10m got burnt,” Enanga added.
He said in the other development, on June 4, 2022, at about 5:48 am, the 11-year-old Primary 4 pupil of MH Junior School Nabbingo, Ituga Cell, Kyengera Town Council, informed the school matron, Cissy Naluwanga, about a fire outbreak in their dormitory.
“The matron found when the fire had just started burning the bed of the pupil and it was immediately put out by neighbours and the school staff. A matchbox was recovered under his bed. He was fed up with the school and hated classes. He, therefore, wanted to burn the school, so that they are sent home. The matter was reported to Kagugube Police by the headteacher, Aggrey Nakhaima,” Enanga stated.
He said fires in schools can have a dramatic effect on the educational environment for the pupils and staff.
“We urge head teachers and school staff to closely watch out for pupils who have a dislike for classes and seek services of counsellors, parents and guardians, to help minimise the risks of arson in schools. In addition, target hardening practices like deterring unauthorised entry into the school, buildings, ensure all combustible items are kept away from pupils and conducting fire risk assessments regularly,” Enanga said.
