Masaka primary school fire death toll rises to 4

The death toll in the Kasaana Junior school fire in Masaka city has now risen to four. The incident that happened at around 4:00 am also left 11 pupils injured. 

According to school authorities, the dormitory was accommodating 15 children of top and primary one classes. The latest victims have been identified as Hillary Walugembe and Arnold Tumwesige, who succumbed to the injuries they sustained during the devastating fire.

Greater Masaka Regional police spokesperson Jamada Wandera said that Walugembe and Tumwesige died at Kirubu hospital in Kampala, where they had been referred. Earlier, Aloysius Ahebwa and Malik Katende also passed away. 

According to the school records, some of the injured pupils include Shahib Mwanje, Ssendagire Jordan, Poel Ssenoga, Grant Matovu, Muganga Martin, Alpha Wasswa, Austine Kisomose, and Elijah Ssemambo, all of whom are pupils in the pre-primary section of the school.

Preliminary findings from the police suggest that an electrical short circuit is the likely cause of the fire. At the time of filing this story, the school was still closed to the public, including parents who had rushed there with the intention of collecting their children.