Written By | Staff Writer
The four pupils were reportedly sleeping on beds near the door when the structure gave way, trapping them beneath the debris.
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OMORO
An eight-year-old pupil has died and three others have been injured after a windstorm caused a dormitory to collapse at Bright Light Nursery and Primary School in Omoro District.
The deceased, Benisa Lagum, a Primary Three pupil, was sleeping alongside the other girls when the dormitory walls caved in at about 6:30am on Saturday.
The four pupils were reportedly sleeping on beds near the door when the structure gave way, trapping them beneath the debris.
The incident occurred at the school in Wii Lamin Ayila Village, Paidong Parish, Bobi Sub-county, following heavy rain and strong winds that reportedly blew off the dormitory roof before the walls collapsed.
The injured pupils were identified as Viola Caffy Apio, 12, a Primary Four pupil; Abigel Atim, 11, a Primary Five pupil; and Gift Lanyero, 10, a Primary Three pupil.
The girls were rushed to hospital for treatment. Atim remained admitted to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, while Apio and Lanyero were discharged on Saturday evening.
Police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
The tragedy has raised concerns about the safety of school buildings, particularly dormitories where children sleep and may have little time to escape when structures suddenly collapse.
Chris Woo, the Omoro District Secretary for Health, Education and Community Development, warned that the district would take action against unlicensed private schools, including those operating in dilapidated buildings.
His remarks highlight the responsibility of school proprietors to ensure that buildings used to accommodate learners are structurally sound and comply with the required safety standards.
The incident has also drawn attention to the role of education authorities in inspecting school facilities and enforcing safety regulations, particularly at boarding schools where children spend nights away from their families. Police investigations are expected to establish the circumstances that led to the dormitory's collapse.
For Lagum's family, the incident has ended in the loss of a young child, while the three injured pupils continue to recover.
