PRINCESS | ANNE | LAURENCE

KAMPALA - Princess Anne of the United Kingdom is scheduled to visit Salama School for the Blind at Luga village, Ntenjeru Town Council in Mukono district where eleven children perished in a mysterious fire.

Accompanied by her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, the Princess will Friday (October 28, 2022) visit the school.

At least 11 children perished in the fire and four others sustained serious injuries when fire broke out in the girls’ dormitory on Tuesday morning. 

According to the programme earlier released by the British High Commission, Princess Royal was scheduled to visit the school on Friday, October 28. 

Maj. Gen. Birungi addresses leaders and security team ahead of Princess Royal of the UK's program visit to Salaama School. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

“Princess Royal, as Patron of Sense International, will visit and tour the school, meeting the deafblind students being supported by Sense to gain access to education and learn vocational skills. Sense works to ensure that people with deafblindness can access education, healthcare, and employment,” the statement reads in parts.

Tina Wamala, a communication specialist at the British High Commission in Uganda, said there was no information on change of programme of Princess Royal’s visit to the school and said if it happens, the head of logistics will inform the public accordingly.

Meanwhile, a team of security officials, including the commander of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, Maj. Gen James Birungi; the Director of Crime Intelligence, Brig. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira Sserunjogi; the Commander of the Kampala Metropolitan Police, Stephen Tanui, and several government officials and ministers visited the school.

One of the parents fainted after her child's death.

Maj. Gen. Birungi addressing the press, said security was not taking the incident lightly since the country was facing threats of terrorism, given the fact that Princess Royal and her husband were scheduled to visit the school in a few days. 

He added that he did not want to preempt their investigations and directed schools, especially in remote areas, to deploy more security personnel to beef up security and guard against any similar incidents.

He said security would investigate and get to the core of the cause of the fire at the school.

The State minister for Gender Labour and Social Development in charge of Disability, Hellen Asamo, also visited the school and said the Government would conduct DNA analysis to enable them identify the bodies of the children who were burnt beyond recognition.

She added that she would ask the Office of the Prime Minister to intervene and meet the burial expenses and appealed to the parents not to take away their children since they are about to do their exams.

The State minister for Gender Labour and Social Development in charge of Disability, Hellen Asamo (C), also visited the school and said the government would conduct DNA analysis to enable them identify the bodies of the children who were burnt beyond recognition.

The 11 deceased children were identified as Agnes Nantume P1, Rebecca Namulondo P1, Ket Nandutu P1, Leticia Nakayima P1 and Josephine Namuwonge P1. Peace Nalumisa P3, Patricia Mudondo P3, Pretty Pilioty P4, Shamila Kalamu P5, and Gladys Namugga P5.

Survivors are Dorcus Ulika, P6, Damali Naluyima P3, Blessings Namuyomba P1, Paula Ndagire, Stecia Nabuuma P1 and Annet Namawejje P1.

State Minister for Primary Education Joyce Moriku Kaducu  noted she would work hand in hand with the school and the ministry to ensure the children sit their final exams without disruptions.

On the issue of tightening security at the school, the Minister directed Police to set up a police post at the school to beef up security and ensure no reoccurrence of such an incident. 

Some parents, however, insisted on taking their children, fearing for their safety.

The Mukono Chief Administrative Officer, James Nkata, informed the minister that the boarding section had been operating illegally since it had never been inspected and registered by the education department.