UGANDA, Butaleja | Real Muloodi News | Three pupils were killed and several others injured after the school block wall of Golden Heart Junior Nursery and Primary School in Buwesa Village, Busabi Sub-County, Butaleja District, collapsed on them.
The police arrested Bonny Owor, the school director, on charges of criminal negligence.
The incident occurred after the roof of the school building was blown off by heavy rain, leaving the wall standing.
The pupils were reportedly trying to break down the wall on their teachers’ orders when it collapsed.
The police have identified two of the deceased pupils as Innocent Maholo, in Primary Three, and Alex Muyonjo, a Primary Four pupil.
The injured pupils are receiving treatment at Busolwe General Hospital.
Bukedi South Regional Police spokesperson, Moses Mugwe, confirmed the arrest of Bonny Owor, the school director, and his detention at Butaleja Central Police Station with charges of criminal negligence.
“Three children died and others who were injured are undergoing medication at Busolwe General Hospital. We have arrested the proprietor to help us in our investigations,” Mr Mugwe said.
“So far two of the deceased have been identified as Innocent Maholo, who was in Primary Three and Alex Muyonjo, a primary four pupil. We are yet to identify the others but it was an unfortunate incident,” Mr Mugwe, said.
The Butaleja Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Racheal Nkoko, accused the teachers and school proprietors of negligence, stating that private schools in the district operate in appalling conditions with no proper class structures, unqualified teachers, and a poor environment.
“The teachers directed pupils to push the wall down and in the process, it fell on the pupils instead,” Ms Nkoko said.
The Education Act, of 2008, mandates that a person, a community, or an organisation wishing to establish a private education institution must apply to the Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, Chief Administrative Officer, or Town Clerk for a license, which would only be granted after meeting certain standards, including the necessary funds to manage the type of institution.
For a school to be licensed or registered, the proprietor must ensure that the physical, health, and moral welfare of the pupils are or will be adequately provided for, ensure that the environment is conducive to pupils with special needs, provide proof of land, and satisfy the terms and conditions of service of employment for teaching and non-teaching staff are adequate.
Mr Mugwe advised school proprietors and administrators to ensure that school premises are in good condition to avert such accidents.
He also called upon district inspectors of schools and district education officers to fulfil their obligations of supervision.
“We also call upon district inspectors of schools and district education officers to always fulfill their obligations of supervision,” he said.
Nelson Weere, the father of one of the deceased children, has demanded justice against the teachers.
Joshua Waisani, a resident of Buwesa Village, claimed that the school had been operating in poor conditions for several years while the authorities were watching.
“The wall of the building that collapsed was in a dilapidated state and not fit to house human beings,” he said.
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