A morning fire tore through Cardinal Nsubuga Secondary School in Njeru on Monday, destroying a boys’ dormitory and leaving authorities scrambling to determine its cause. The blaze, which broke out around 10:30 AM, consumed student belongings and school property in the S1 and S2 dormitory block before being brought under control.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic as thick black smoke poured from the building. School warden Juma Musasizi first spotted the flames and immediately sounded the alarm. “I saw smoke coming from the dormitory windows,” Musasizi recounted. “By the time I got closer, the fire was already spreading fast.” His quick action helped prevent injuries, as students were in class when the fire started.

Police from Njeru Municipality arrived promptly to secure the scene. Ssezibwa Regional Police spokesperson Hellen Butoto confirmed no students were harmed but noted significant property damage. Investigators collected several pieces of evidence, including two charcoal iron boxes found among the ashes. “We’re treating this as a serious incident,” Butoto stated. “Our forensic team is working to determine whether this was an accident or something more deliberate.”

The fire has reignited concerns about school safety standards across Uganda. This marks the latest in a string of dormitory fires that have plagued educational institutions in recent years. Parents arriving at the school expressed frustration over the recurring incidents. “How many more schools must burn before proper safety measures are put in place?” asked one distraught mother, whose son lost all his belongings in the blaze.

Education experts point to several persistent safety gaps in Ugandan schools. Many institutions lack basic fire prevention systems like smoke detectors or extinguishers. Fire drills remain uncommon, and supervision in boarding sections is often inadequate. The Ministry of Education has repeatedly pledged to address these issues, but implementation has been slow.

At Cardinal Nsubuga, school administrators met urgently with local officials to discuss temporary housing solutions for displaced students. The school’s headteacher assured parents that learning would continue uninterrupted. “We’re working to relocate affected students while repairs begin,” he said. “Our priority is ensuring this disruption doesn’t harm their education.”

Fire investigators face several challenges in determining the blaze’s origin. The recovered iron boxes could point to an electrical fault or careless use of heating appliances – common causes of school fires. However, authorities haven’t ruled out other possibilities, including arson. Police have questioned several staff members and students as part of their probe.

The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of school infrastructure safety. Many Ugandan schools operate in aging buildings with outdated electrical systems. Overcrowded dormitories and haphazard storage of flammable materials create additional risks. Education advocates argue that preventive measures could avoid such tragedies.

“These fires aren’t acts of God – they’re failures of policy,” remarked a safety consultant who works with schools. “Simple steps like proper wiring inspections, fire extinguisher training, and emergency exit drills could save lives and property.”

As investigators continue their work, the Cardinal Nsubuga community faces the difficult task of recovery. Local organizations have begun collecting donations to replace students’ lost uniforms, books, and personal items. Meanwhile, education officials have promised to conduct safety audits at schools throughout Buikwe District.

The fire at Cardinal Nsubuga serves as another wake-up call for Uganda’s education system. While the immediate focus remains on supporting affected students and determining the fire’s cause, many hope this incident will finally spur meaningful action to protect the country’s schools from preventable disasters. For now, parents, teachers, and students wait anxiously for answers – and for assurances that such an event won’t happen again.