Testimony Points to Arson in Rakai School Fire Tragedy Trial

The initial state witness in the case concerning a tragic fire at a school in Rakai District, resulting in the loss of 10 students’ lives and injuries to approximately 36 others, testified in court that the fire was not caused by an electrical short circuit, but rather by arson.
Appearing before Judge Victoria Nakintu Katamba at Masaka High Court, the principal government analyst and first state witness, Steven Samuel Kibuuka, asserted that the fire at St Bernard’s Secondary School, Mannya, was likely ignited by individuals using petrol. Kibuuka, affiliated with the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL), informed the court that his team was dispatched to investigate the origin and cause of the fire.
“It was evident that someone intentionally set fire to one of the dormitories, resulting in widespread destruction. Upon examining debris collected from the burnt dormitories, we found traces of hydrocarbon, indicating that petrol may have been used to ignite the fire,” he elucidated.
Furthermore, Kibuuka revealed that during their investigation, they observed a broken glass window on one of the dormitories, through which a container containing the flammable liquid used to start the fire was likely passed.
“One of the victims, Rashid Bbosa, recounted attempting to awaken fellow students to escape the blazing dormitory, only to discover the doors locked from the outside. Despite seeking alternative exits, the fire had already engulfed a significant portion of the dormitory,” he added.
The prosecution submitted a report from the government laboratory detailing their findings as evidence. However, defense counsel Sam Ssekyewa raised concerns about the clarity of the black and colored pictures in the report, prompting Judge Nakintu to request additional colored pictures from Kibuuka.
During cross-examination, Kibuuka admitted to the possibility that the fire could have been caused by a short circuit, an aspect overlooked during the DGAL’s initial investigation.
Presiding Judge Nakintu adjourned the proceedings to April 16 at the request of Chief State Attorney Noah Kunya, citing the need to summon other witnesses.
The amended charge sheet implicates three students from the same school and a resident of Maanya Trading Centre on 48 counts, including murder, attempted murder, arson, and attempted arson.
Prosecutors allege that on November 11, 2018, the accused individuals, including Henry Taremwa, Alex Mugarura, Dickson Kisuule, and Edison Niyo, along with others still at large, were responsible for the fire that claimed 10 lives at St Bernard’s SS.
Meanwhile, the accused remain remanded in Masaka Central Prison.