A devastating fire broke out on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at around 3:00 p.m. at Elgon Junior Christian School in Mutufu Town Council, Sironko District in eastern Uganda, destroying the boys’ dormitory and part of a classroom and leaving property worth millions of shillings in ashes. The school, located near the Mbale region, suffered extensive losses as pupils’ personal belongings and scholastic materials were completely burned.
The fire completely gutted the boys’ dormitory, a permanent block structure that had previously been rebuilt after an earlier fire incident. The reconstruction had been supported by Sironko District Woman MP-elect Asha Nabulo Mafabi in partnership with Volunteers of Time to Help Netherlands through the Nile Humanitarian Development Agency. Books, clothes, bedding, mattresses, and other essential items belonging to the pupils were all destroyed in the blaze.
Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident. Reports indicate that only a few pupils were inside the dormitory at the time, as most students were attending classes. Local LC1 Chairman Henry Yona Wambede spotted smoke coming from the building and quickly rushed to the scene, helping to evacuate the children before the fire intensified. Fire brigade teams later arrived and managed to contain the flames, preventing them from spreading to other school structures.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown and is currently under investigation by police, although residents strongly suspect arson. According to community members, the area had been without electricity for several days before the incident, making an electrical short circuit unlikely. Some eyewitnesses also reported signs that someone may have accessed the building from the rear shortly before the fire started, further raising suspicions of deliberate action.
Parents and teachers expressed deep concern over the incident and the repeated losses suffered by the school. One parent, Simon Woniala, said many families had recently bought new supplies for their children, only for everything to be destroyed in the fire. Teacher Joel Wadada confirmed that the dormitory and all student belongings inside were completely lost, leaving many pupils without basic necessities.
Elgon Regional Police spokesperson Rogers Taitika confirmed that investigations are ongoing and urged the public to remain calm as authorities work to establish the cause. The incident comes amid growing concerns about school fires across Uganda, with previous police crime reports indicating an increase in such cases, often linked to electrical faults, negligence, or deliberate arson.
The fire has left pupils, parents, and the Mutufu community in shock, with calls for government support and improved security at the school. Resident Stella Nambozo appealed for urgent assistance to help affected learners recover and resume their studies, noting that many children have been left without essential items needed for daily school life.
Elgon Junior Christian School is one of the largest private primary schools in Sironko District, and the destruction of the dormitory has disrupted normal operations for many learners. As of March 26, 2026, police had not released a final report on the cause of the fire, and support efforts for affected students were still developing.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of fire safety in Ugandan schools, particularly in boarding facilities where infrastructure, security, and emergency preparedness remain critical. It also serves as a reminder of the need for stronger safety measures and community support to protect learners and educational institutions from similar tragedies in the future.
