A fire outbreak in the early hours of Tuesday morning has destroyed a boys’ dormitory at Ndibarema Seed Secondary School in Buhweju District, leaving dozens of students without personal belongings.
The blaze, which reportedly started at around 3:25 a.m., spread rapidly through the dormitory, consuming mattresses, books, clothing, and other student property. By the time it was brought under control, the structure and its contents had been extensively damaged.
Despite the scale of the destruction, no injuries or fatalities were reported, as students managed to evacuate in time. School authorities and local residents are said to have responded quickly to alert the learners and prevent loss of life.
Officers from the Uganda Police Force arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and cordoned off the area to ensure safety and begin preliminary investigations. However, efforts to contain the fire were significantly hindered by the lack of a nearby fire brigade, a challenge commonly faced in rural districts.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, though authorities have launched an investigation to determine its origin.
The incident has left affected students with nothing but the clothes they were wearing at the time, prompting calls for urgent support. Local leaders and community members are now appealing for assistance in the form of bedding, scholastic materials, and other basic necessities to help the students resume normal school life.
School administrators have expressed concern over the disruption to learning and have urged well-wishers, government agencies, and humanitarian organizations to intervene swiftly as recovery efforts begin.
