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While no student injuries were reported, scholastic materials, mattresses, bedding, electronic appliances, and vital academic documents were all lost in the blaze
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By Our Reporter
Mitooma
A fire gutted the Australia Dormitory at Kyeibare Girls Secondary School in Mitooma District early Friday morning, destroying students’ property and leaving candidates in panic ahead of their mock examinations.
The incident occurred around 5:00 am on July 11, 2025, while students were away for morning revision. No injuries were reported, but scholastic materials, mattresses, bedding, electronic appliances, and vital academic documents were all lost in the blaze.
According to Olive Nuwasiima, the school’s Headmistress, the fire is believed to have started shortly after electricity was restored following a prolonged power outage the previous night. School administrators and police suspect an electrical short circuit as the likely cause, though investigations are ongoing to determine the exact trigger.
“We suspect the fire started due to a short circuit when power was restored after the long outage,” said Ms. Nuwasiima. “This tragedy has affected many girls, especially candidates. We appeal to parents, old students, and well-wishers to come to their aid.”
She added that despite the trauma, the school environment remains calm and learners have resumed classes. Affected students expressed deep concern over the loss of important documents and personal belongings. Fausta Natasha, a Senior Four student, said she lost everything.
“I was heading for prep when we noticed the dormitory was on fire. My birth certificate, pass slips, clothes, and school bag were all destroyed. I have nothing left, and we are in the registration period for final exams,” she said.
Ms. Peace Barungi, the Mitooma District Education Officer, visited the school and described the incident as a serious disruption to the learners’ academic journey.
“It’s a huge setback for the girls, especially candidates preparing for national exams. I commend the school administration for acting swiftly and thank the community members who helped contain the fire,” she said.
Ms. Barungi also emphasized the need for urgent support from the government and development partners.
“We are calling upon all stakeholders to support the affected students with scholastic materials, bedding, and counseling services. We must stand with them to ensure they recover in time to sit their exams,” she added.
Police have opened an investigation into the cause of the fire. According to SP Tayebwa, the Greater Bushenyi acting police spokesperson, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) team in Mitooma visited the scene and recorded witness statements.
“Preliminary findings point to an electrical issue, but we are still gathering information. We commend the school’s swift action, which prevented what could have been a tragic outcome,” he said.
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