Over 10 Students Feared Dead in Rakai School Inferno

At least 10 students of St Bernard’s Mannya Secondary School, in Kifamba Sub County Rakai district, are feared dead following a fire outbreak at a students’ dormitory last night.

Latif Zaake, the Greater Masaka Regional Police Commander confirmed the incident but could not give details on the number causalities saying he had dispatched an emergency response team to rescue the situation.

But early information indicates that unknown persons could have locked the boys’ dormitory before setting it on fire. Rescue teams struggled to unlock the padlocks outside the dormitory doors, in an effort to save the children. A number had lost their lives by the time the teams broke into the rooms.

One of the witnesses said that they had recovered bodies of over 12 students by 03:15 a.m. and several other suffocated by the smoke.

“We are still struggling to save lives and many students are being rushed to health facilities for medical attention,” he said.