Police Investigating How Former Students Started School Fire That Killed One Student.
The burnt dormitory at Kyamate Secondary School
Police in Ntungamo District continue their investigation into the fire that gutted the boys’ dormitory at Kyamate Secondary School on Sunday night, claiming the life of one student.
Four suspects were arrested in connection to the fire that killed 14 year old Bonus Ankwatireire, a senior one student from Isingiro District.
A witness who preferred anonymity confirms huge flames of fire coming out of Nyerere and Mandela dormitories on the fateful night. She also claims Bonnie had previously filed a complaint with the school authorities against one of the fellow students over allegations of bullying and misconduct leading to a one week suspension.
In a bid to carry out his revenge, the disgruntled suspect, a senior three student allegedly sneaked back into the school with a group of other students with a jerry can of gasoline, tied Bonnie on the bed and set him on fire.
“When he was suspended, he is suspected to have come back and burned the other one who had led to the suspension not knowing it was the twin brother.” Erisa Kacafu, Mayor, Eastern Division Ntungamo said.
Ben Tuhumwire, grandfather to the deceased narrated how Bonus was burned beyond recognition and it took the teacher’s roll call to confirm that he was the victim that perished in the fire.
“All limbs were burned, the brains were out, I could not recognize the person. Luckily the parent was on the way. But the teacher confirmed to us that after roll call, this was the only student that was missing.” He said.
Upon investigations on the crime scene, police recovered an empty plastic can behind the fence and it was suspected to have contained petrol that was used to burn the dormitory. A blanket soaked in petrol was also recovered at the scene of the fire indicating that the fire was started intentionally with a motive to destroy property or take life.
The LC5 chairman Sam Mucunguzi condemned the act and advised students to desist from taking the law into their own hands.
The fire left three other students Isaiah Ajjuna, Lisbon Amanya and Nuwenyesiga Marvin severely injured and destroyed property of 113 students.
The school head teacher, Emmanuel Arinaitwe, wants the government to come to aid and compensate the students that lost their property in the fire.
The Rwizi Region Police spokesperson, Mr. Samson Kasasira, confirmed the arrest of four students with the key suspect still on the run.
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