WAKISO District (UGNEWSLINE) – Two pupils have died and three others sustained injuries after a fire tore through a boys’ dormitory at Hami Junior School in Wakiso District, as police investigate a separate blaze that damaged parts of Ivory Hotel in Nansana on the same day.
The two incidents occurred on Monday, October 19, 2026, prompting Kampala Metropolitan Police to renew calls for stricter fire safety measures in schools, hotels, businesses and residential buildings.
The fatal fire broke out at about 10:30am at Hami Junior School in Kagoma, Maganjo B Zone, Nabweru Division, claiming the lives of Namusoke Lamia, 8, a Primary One pupil, and Abdu Shakul Bwete, 10, a Primary Three pupil.
Three other pupils, identified as Miyingo Alcham Yusuf, 13, a Primary Seven pupil; Muyimba Hamidu, 9, a Primary Three pupil; and Kazibwe Hasadu, 7, a Primary One pupil, sustained injuries and were rushed to Bethel Medical Centre for first aid.
The bodies of the deceased pupils were taken to the City Mortuary at Mulago for postmortem examinations as investigations continued to establish the cause of the fire.
Preliminary findings indicate that the boys’ dormitory was divided by wooden partitions, with pupils sleeping on double- and triple-decker beds. Police have not yet established what triggered the blaze.
In a separate incident, a fire broke out at about 8:15 p.m. at Ivory Hotel in Nansana West 1B, West Ward, Nansana Division, damaging the hotel’s rooftop structure, which housed staff rooms and stores.
According to preliminary information released by police, the fire followed intermittent power interruptions, during which sparks were reportedly observed at a transformer before flames were noticed on the hotel’s rooftop.
Police officers, including the Division Police Commander, Criminal Investigations Department personnel and scene-of-crime officers, responded to the incident alongside the Fire and Rescue team from Fire Headquarters. The blaze was eventually extinguished.
Property stored in the affected section was destroyed, although the full extent of the damage had not been established by the time of the police statement.
Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said investigations into both incidents were ongoing, with detectives working to establish the circumstances surrounding the fires.
“Investigations into both incidents are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information comes in,” Owoyesigyire said.
Police said statements had been recorded from first responders in the hotel fire as investigators pursued the suspected electrical cause. The reported electrical fault remains subject to investigation.
Following the incidents, Owoyesigyire urged schools, hotels, businesses, landlords and members of the public to strengthen fire prevention measures, warning of the devastating consequences that can arise when fire safety is neglected.
He called on property owners and institutions to ensure that electrical installations, wiring, transformers and other equipment are regularly inspected and maintained by qualified personnel. The public was also urged to avoid overloading sockets and extension cables and to switch off unnecessary electrical appliances when they are not in use.
Police further emphasised the need for accessible fire extinguishers, functioning smoke detectors and clearly marked emergency exits, particularly in schools, hotels and other premises accommodating children or large numbers of people.
Dormitories, corridors, doors, windows and other escape routes should be kept free of obstructions to allow occupants to evacuate quickly in an emergency, while regular fire safety inspections and evacuation drills should be conducted.
Staff members and occupants should also know how to raise the alarm, evacuate safely and contact emergency responders. Police cautioned members of the public against attempting to fight rapidly spreading fires without appropriate training or equipment, noting that water should never be used on live electrical equipment when an electrical fire is suspected.
The public was urged to report electrical sparks, burning smells, exposed wiring and other potential fire hazards to the relevant authorities promptly.
