MUKONO
Six students of Bishop Senior Secondary School, Mukono, have been arrested for allegedly setting a school dormitory ablaze during a violent strike last week.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said the suspects, all Senior Four candidates who had just completed their Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, were handed over to police by the school administration after an internal investigation linked them to the fire.
“The suspects are currently in custody, and inquiries are underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” Onyango said in a statement on Monday.
It is alleged that the fire broke out during a student demonstration reportedly organised and led by the suspects. The unrest was said to have stemmed from grievances among students over administrative issues.
During the chaos, one of the dormitories was set ablaze. However, the timely intervention of teachers and fellow students prevented the flames from spreading to other school buildings. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
Following the incident, the school administration conducted an internal probe, which reportedly revealed that the six candidates had played a key role in planning and executing the strike.
In a bid to avoid disrupting the ongoing national examinations, the school delayed formal reporting until the completion of the UCE exams. Upon conclusion of the papers, the administration filed a complaint with Mukono Central Police Station, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
Police have since opened a case of arson and are continuing with investigations to establish the motive and identify any additional culprits.
“We are still recording statements from witnesses and reviewing evidence from the scene. Anyone found culpable will face the law,” Onyango said.
