The fire burnt the schoolgirl’s hostel leaving 11 girls dead a week ago. DNA tests were subsequently conducted and on Wednesday, the remains of the deceased were handed over to the relatives for burial after a general vigil mass led by the Parish Priest of St Paul Catholic Church Mukono, Fr Paul Ssebitoogo.
The government has given 55 million Shillings to the families of children who died in a fire at Salama School of the blind in Ntenjeru-Kisoga Town Council, Mukono District.
The fire burnt the schoolgirl’s hostel leaving 11 girls dead a week ago. DNA tests were subsequently conducted and on Wednesday, the remains of the deceased were handed
over to the relatives for burial after a general vigil mass led by the
Parish Priest of St Paul Catholic Church Mukono, Fr Paul Ssebitoogo.
The deceased are Shamilah Kalamu from Kamuli, Gladys Namugga from Wakiso, Pretty Pillioty from Pakwach, Patricia Mudondo from Budaka, Peace Naluminsa from Buikwe, Josephine Namuwonge and Rebeccah Namulondo from Masaka, Agnes Nantume and Veronica Nassali from Mukono, Cate Nanduttu from Namisindwa and Leticia Nakayima from Gomba.
Each of the families that lost children received five million Shillings from the government to transport the remains
from the school as well as conduct decent burials at their homes. State Minister for Primary Education Dr Joyce
Moriku Kaducu handed over the money this afternoon.
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The government has also provided the school with a collection of requirements including metallic boxes, mattresses, bedsheets, blankets, mosquito nets, buckets and jerricans for further support of the children who lost their belongings in the fire. The children were also given 650,000 Shillings.
Dr Kaduchu noted that the government is committed to facilitating all the six injured survivors who are still receiving treatment at Kiruddu and Mulago hospitals with all the required medical bills and necessities.
Mukono District Chief Administrative Officer James Nkata appeals to the government to also offer support towards the restoration of the burnt hostel besides providing more facilities for the school to meet the required standards of operating a special boarding section.
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The Headteacher of the school Francis Kinubi also appealed to the government to expedite its commitment to a secure study environment for learners at Salama school to avoid such tragic incidents from happening again. The school requires a perimeter fence and security cameras to guarantee the safety of its learners.
