Four students detained over Ntungamo school fire

Ntungamo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Four students suspected of masterminding the fire that gutted a dormitory block at Kyamate Secondary school in Ntungamo district are in police custody. The suspects are all senior three students, whose names have been held by URN since they are minors.

Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson says that police picked up the suspects after being named by their colleagues. He says that the police are hunting for another prime suspect, who was suspended from the school last week for alleged indiscipline.

According to Kasasira, the four students are suspected to have collaborated with the suspect at large to deliver petrol that was used to torch the dormitories that claimed the life of 13-year-old Bonus Atukwatse, and three others including Marvin Nuwenyesiga, Isaiah Ajjuna, and Lisbon Amanya nursing injuries.

The Sunday night fire that gutted Nyerere and Mandela dormitories reduced the learner’s property to ashes. The two dormitories were home to 146 Senior One students. Emmanuel Arinaitwe, the school headteacher has confirmed that the prime suspect was suspended for two weeks.

According to unconfirmed reports, the student was suspended for bullying the deceased who reported him to the authorities and he vowed to revenge. Police investigators say that the suspects were overheard by their colleagues planning to stage a strike in the school. Both the Uganda Police Force and UPDF have maintained a presence in Kyamate Secondary School.

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