A primary-three pupil has been identified by Mityana police as the culprit behind the arson accident that destroyed millions of property at Wilton Nursery and Primary School in Mityana district.
The police confirmed the development on October 11, 2024, after checking the school CCTV cameras, which captured how the suspect, aged 10 years, set up the boys’ dormitory of primary five and primary six pupils of his school.
According to preliminary investigations, the boys’ dormitory was set ablaze at around 6:00 am on October 10, 2024, during morning preps.
In an interview with journalists, Wamala Region Police Spokesperson SP Rachael Kawala revealed that the suspect (names withheld) asked for permission to go back to the dormitory to get a pen so that he would be able to write notes during morning preps.
SP Kawala added that when he reached the dormitory side, he found a matchbox, lit it, and threw a burning matchstick on a mattress of one of the students, which caught fire and burnt everything inside the dormitory.
’’When we checked the school’s CCTV cameras to aid in our investigations, they had captured and shown what this kid had done and how the school dormitory was set ablaze. However, I am happy that no one was injured or died because if anyone was inside the dormitory, then it would have been a tragedy,’’ SP Kawala disclosed.
She further thanked the Police Fire and Rescue Service for doing their best in putting out the fire and stopping it from spreading to other school buildings.
Recent statistics indicate that between May 2022 and May 2023, 35% of fire incidents in schools occurred during the night when students were asleep. The fires were attributed to negligence, electrical faults, and deliberate arson.
Authorities emphasize the need for heightened vigilance and prompt reporting of any fire hazards to prevent future occurrences.
For example, on September 17, 2024, a fire broke out around 12:50 AM in a boys’ dormitory, which housed 52 students at Kakungulu Memorial School in Kibuli, Makindye Division. Fortunately, no fatalities occurred; however, one student sustained minor injuries and received medical attention.
