A heavy early morning rainstorm on Saturday caused widespread destruction in Mityana Municipality, leaving a trail of damaged property, uprooted trees, and destroyed crops.
Mityana Secondary School Namukozi was among the hardest-hit institutions.
The downpour, which began at around 8:00 a.m., was accompanied by strong winds that tore off rooftops and damaged several structures across the municipality. Residents reported significant losses, including homes, farms, and personal property.
At Mityana Secondary School Namukozi, a historic institution that has existed for over a century, the storm ripped iron sheets off one of the classroom blocks, exposing property to rain damage. School authorities say several items, including books, computers, chairs, and cupboards, were destroyed.
According to Gertrude Nangedo Ssemujju, the extent of the damage was worsened by the age of the affected structure.
“The building that was damaged is one of the oldest at the school, dating back many years. Its condition made it vulnerable to such strong winds,” she explained.
By the time of reporting, students and teachers were seen trying to salvage what they could, although many appeared shaken by the incident.
The school, which is affiliated with a Christian foundation, has long struggled with aging infrastructure. Rev. Canon Paul Ssekweyama acknowledged that there had already been plans to renovate the buildings.
“We have been planning to rehabilitate these old structures, and this incident shows how urgent that need has become,” he said.
Education officials have called for urgent intervention. James Kironde Muwanga appealed to both the Ministry of Education and Sports Uganda and the Office of the Prime Minister Uganda to support the school’s recovery efforts.
“We are calling upon the relevant authorities to step in and help restore the school so that learning is not disrupted,” he said.
Founded in the early 1900s by missionaries, Mityana Secondary School Namukozi remains one of the oldest schools in the area. However, staff say the deteriorating state of its buildings has long posed a risk, which may have contributed to the extent of the storm damage.
Residents and school administrators are now urging immediate support to repair the damaged infrastructure and prevent further losses, especially as the rainy season continues.
