An eight-year-old pupil has died, while three other girls were injured after strong winds and heavy rain destroyed a dormitory at Bright Light Nursery and Primary School in Omoro District on Saturday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 am when a violent storm reportedly ripped off the dormitory roof before the building's walls collapsed, trapping four girls who were sleeping near the doorway under falling bricks and a metallic door.
The deceased, identified as Benisa Lagum, a Primary Three pupil, sustained fatal head injuries and died at the scene.
Three other pupils, including Lagum's sister, Viola Caffy Apio, as well as Abigel Atim and Gift Lanyero, sustained injuries in the incident and were rushed to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.
Apio and Lanyero were discharged later that evening after receiving medical attention. Atim, however, remained hospitalised with severe fractures affecting several parts of her body, from the shoulders to the knees.
The storm reportedly carried the roof nearly 30 metres away from the dormitory, leaving the school community devastated by the loss of the young pupil.
The tragedy has renewed concerns among local leaders about the safety of pupils in private educational institutions, particularly those operating in unsafe buildings or without the required licences.
Chris Woo, the Omoro District Secretary for Health, Education and Community Development, said authorities were planning action against more than 60 unlicensed private schools in the district, many of which reportedly operate in dilapidated structures.
The planned crackdown is intended to address concerns over school infrastructure and protect learners from potentially dangerous conditions.
Police have launched inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the dormitory collapse and determine whether structural weaknesses or negligence contributed to the deaths and injuries.
Regional police spokesperson SP Patrick Jimmy Okema said Scene of Crime Officers had visited and documented the scene as part of the investigation.
Investigators are working to establish whether the incident resulted solely from the severe weather or whether shortcomings in the building's structural integrity also played a role.
The findings are expected to help clarify the circumstances of the tragedy and determine whether further action is necessary.
The incident has highlighted the importance of enforcing school safety standards and ensuring that educational institutions provide secure accommodation for children, particularly during periods of severe weather.
