Pupil killed in Uganda school dormitory collapse
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Monitor
An eight-year-old pupil died and three others were injured after the dormitory at Bright Light Nursery and Primary School in Omoro, Uganda, collapsed. The roof and walls gave way in heavy rain and strong winds, while one victim remained in hospital in Gulu, reports Daily Monitor.
Eight-year-old pupil Benisa Lagum was killed and three others injured when a dormitory at Bright Light Nursery and Primary School collapsed in heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday 24 October at around 6.30am in Uganda’s Omoro district, reports the Daily Monitor.
The four girls were sleeping near the door, where the walls collapsed. Benisa’s sister, 12-year-old Viola Caffy Apio, and 10-year-old Gift Lanyero were discharged from hospital that same evening. Abigel Atim, 11, who suffered fractures, was still in hospital. According to Ben Kizito Acellam, a local councillor for Bobi district, the wind first tore the dormitory roof off and sent it about 30 metres away.
Chris Woo, Omoro district officer for health, education and community development, announced an operation from the following week to close and prosecute unlicensed private schools. He estimates that more than 60 establishments in the district do not have authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Sports and that some have dilapidated buildings. The authorities are awaiting the findings of the police investigation to determine whether negligence contributed to the tragedy.
