Police in Kanungu District have arrested a Senior Four student of Trinity College Butogota Secondary School for allegedly setting fire to the school’s boys’ dormitory.
The incident occurred on the night of 8 June 2026 at approximately 8:30 p.m.
The suspect has been identified as Elisha John, a 20-year-old Senior Four student at Trinity College Butogota and a resident of Butogota Upper Cell, Butogota Town Council, Kanungu District.
According to preliminary investigations, the suspect had been suspended from the school on 3 June 2026 after repeatedly engaging in acts of indiscipline contrary to the school’s rules and regulations.
It is alleged that on 8 June 2026 at around 7:30 p.m., the suspect returned to the school premises, picked a student’s uniform that had been hung on a clothesline, and wore it in an apparent attempt to blend in with other students.
He reportedly joined fellow students in the library for evening preparatory studies but left shortly afterwards without attracting attention.
During a short break, one of the students went to the dormitory area to fetch drinking water and noticed flames emerging from the boys’ dormitory. As he moved closer to ascertain the source of the fire, he allegedly saw the suspect fleeing from the scene half-dressed and without a shirt.
Police from Butogota Police Station were immediately notified and responded to the scene. Working together with members of the local community, they managed to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further.
No injuries or loss of life were reported as a result of the incident.
The Kigezi Regional Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nelson Tumushime, said investigations into the matter are ongoing.
