BY JOEL KAGUTA
There was panic in Bukonzo County West following a suspected fire attempt by yet unknown people at Isango Muslim Primary School, Isango sub-county in Kasese district.
Today morning, the school administration told the press that yet unknown people attempted to throw fire both in the girls’ and boys’ dormitories and tried to set them ablaze.
The Rwenzori East Regional Police Spokesperson, SP Nelson Tumushime confirmed the incident to the press but refuted claims of any possible rebel attack at the school.
He, however, said police would continue launching more investigations into the matter to ascertain the exact cause of the fire attempt at the institution.
The Police Mouthpiece also observed that there was need for the school administration to work on the safety and security of the learners since the institution does not have a perimeter wall that would help in manning the learners’ security.
Zubeda Muhindo, the Matron at the school said the incident
happened at around 8pm when they saw fire being thrown in the
dormitories. Muhindo explained that it was very fortunate that the pupils in the two dormitories were still outside and when they assessed danger, they immediately alerted the school administration.
The fire attempt at the primary school situated about 3 kilometres away from the Uganda borderline with the DRC comes barely one and half months since the ADF rebel attack on a secondary School in Mpondwe –Lhubiriha Town Council.
On June 16th, this year, a total of 37 students from Mpondwe – Lhubiriha secondary school were attacked and subsequently hacked by their attackers. Others were abducted and their whereabouts have since remained unknown.
Ali Abdalarahim, the school Head teacher ruled out the possibility
that the suspected arsonists could have been rebels because they couldn’t disappear immediately.
But the Kasese Resident District Commissioner, Lt. Joe Walusimbi told the press that he had directed the District Education authorities to close the boarding facilities at the said institution, arguing that they are congested hence not suitable to accommodating the learners.