A devastating fire has ravaged the dormitory of Shalom Junior School in Wakalende Village, Mayuge District, leaving hundreds of pupils in shock and despair.
The blaze, which officials have linked to an electric short circuit, erupted in the morning, swiftly consuming flammable materials such as mattresses and books.
No lives were lost in the incident.
However, the fire reduced the belongings of Primary Seven pupils, along with valuable educational materials, to ashes. This comes as a severe blow to the students, especially with final exams just a month away.
One pupil lamented, "How will we study for our exams now? All our books are gone."
Doreen Rachael, a teacher at the school, sought to comfort the pupils, assuring them that alternative solutions would be provided to ensure their studies were not disrupted.
"We will find ways to address the access to study materials," she promised.
Firefighters from Iganga Police Station responded quickly to the emergency but were unable to save the destroyed property.
The incident has left the school grappling with questions over electrical safety and emergency preparedness.
The administration has appealed for support to rebuild the dormitory and replace the lost items.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for fire safety and disaster management measures in schools across Uganda.
