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The fire outbreak that gutted Kasaana Junior Primary School in Nyendo-Mukugwe Division in Masaka City, killing two infant pupils, has seen seven others referred from Masaka Regional Referral Hospital to Kirundu Hospital in Kampala after their condition deteriorated. 

New Vision has learnt that preliminary investigations into the blaze that gutted the dormitory housing the infants at about 4.30 am on Monday morning indicate that the blaze was started by sparks from a mobile phone that was being charged. 

It reportedly belonged to the dormitory matron, Christine Adong, who was among the people rushed to Masaka Hospital in critical condition. 

The deceased pupils have been identified as Malik Katende, 6, and Aloysius Ahebwa, 5, who were trapped by the flames and died from suffocation.      

The Masaka City education officer, Joseph Kakeeto, confirmed to New Vision that a total of 11 people had been admitted to various hospitals in Masaka and Kampala.      

By press time, experts from UPDF’s Armoured Brigade had been deployed at the school to back up Police investigations. 

The school was among the top performers in the 2022 Primary Leaving Examinations in Masaka City and the country. 

Masaka Secondary School also suffered a fire outbreak last month which gutted the girls’ hostel and destroyed property worth millions. 

The Masaka City Resident City Commissioner, Hudu Hussein, has warned schools in Masaka to be vigilant against fire outbreaks.