By URN
Investigations by the police into the recent fire that gutted the dormitory of Hoima Town Mosque Nursery and Primary School have revealed that the blaze was caused by an electrical short circuit.
The fire, which broke out last Tuesday at around 11 a.m., destroyed property worth millions of shillings. At the time of the incident, pupils were in class, but many were left in tears after losing personal belongings, including books, mattresses, and clothing.
Eyewitnesses—teachers and learners—reported hearing a loud explosion from the dormitory, followed by flames. Police and the fire and rescue team were called in and quickly responded, successfully containing the fire and preventing it from spreading further.
As a result of the incident, education and security officials in Hoima City ordered the temporary closure of the school to facilitate a thorough investigation. Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson, told Uganda Radio Network (URN) on Monday that police findings point to an electrical fault as the cause of the fire.
He noted that authorities are now working closely with the school administration to prevent similar incidents in the future. This marks the third time the school’s dormitory has caught fire since 2016. In March 2016, a nighttime fire claimed the life of an eight-year-old Primary Three pupil, Sharif Nuwagaba, after it engulfed the boys’ dormitory around 8 p.m.
