Two Pupils Die in Hami Junior School Dormitory Fire as Three Others Are Injured in Wakiso

By EDNL News Desk | 20 October 2026

Two pupils have died and three others sustained injuries after a fire gutted a boys’ dormitory at Hami Junior School in Maganjo B Zone, Nabweru Division, Wakiso District, in a tragic incident that has renewed concerns about fire safety in Uganda’s boarding schools.

Two Pupils Die in Hami Junior School Dormitory Fire

According to reports by Uganda Radio Network and other local media, the fire broke out on Monday night, 19 October 2026, at approximately 10:30 p.m. The deceased pupils were identified as Lamia Namusoke, aged eight, a Primary One pupil, and Abdu Shakul Bwete, aged ten, who was in Primary Three.

The three injured pupils were identified as Yusuf Miyingo Alcham, 13, a Primary Seven pupil; Hamidu Muyimba, nine, a Primary Three pupil; and Hasadu Kazibwe, seven, a Primary One pupil. They were rushed to Bethel Medical Centre for first aid, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the City Mortuary at Mulago for postmortem examinations.

Police Investigate Cause of Fire

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway to establish the cause of the fire.

Preliminary findings indicated that the dormitory had wooden partitions and was furnished with double- and triple-decker beds. Authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the outbreak and assess whether any safety shortcomings contributed to the tragedy.

The incident has raised questions about emergency exits, fire detection systems, firefighting equipment and the ability of school staff to evacuate pupils quickly when a fire breaks out during the night.

Renewed Concerns About School Safety

The tragedy comes amid renewed concerns over fires in educational institutions in the Kampala metropolitan area. Previous incidents at schools in Kampala and Wakiso have resulted in property destruction and, in some cases, loss of life.

Fire safety experts and authorities continue to emphasise the importance of regular electrical inspections, accessible fire extinguishers, functional smoke detectors and clearly marked emergency exits. Schools should also conduct evacuation drills to ensure that pupils and staff understand how to respond during emergencies.

School administrators have a responsibility to provide safe sleeping facilities, maintain electrical installations and ensure that dormitories allow pupils to escape quickly in the event of a fire.

A Call for Stronger Protection of Learners

The deaths of the two young pupils are a painful reminder of the responsibility institutions have to protect children entrusted to their care. Parents send their children to school with the expectation that they will receive education in a safe and secure environment.

Authorities, school managers and relevant education officials should continue working together to strengthen fire prevention measures, inspect boarding facilities and ensure that safety requirements are observed.

As investigations continue, the families of the deceased pupils deserve compassion and support, while the injured children need appropriate medical care and recovery assistance.

Elite Daily News Live (EDNL) extends its condolences to the families of the pupils who lost their lives and wishes the injured children a full recovery. EDNL will keep updating its readers as more verified information becomes available.