In the sobering proceedings of the Masaka High Court, the stark realities of the fire at St Bernard’s Secondary School in Rakai District were further unraveled. The court was informed by the first state witness that the blaze, which tragically claimed 10 students and injured around 36, was a deliberate act of arson, not an accidental electrical short circuit.

Steven Samuel Kibuuka, the principal government analyst, testified before Judge Victoria Nakintu Katamba, revealing that the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL) had determined the fire was ignited by unknown individuals using petrol.

The forensic analysis of the debris found hydrocarbon traces, indicative of petrol, and a broken window in one of the dormitories suggested that the fire was introduced from outside. The court also heard from Rashid Bbosa, a student who attempted to alert and evacuate his peers, only to find the dormitory doors locked from the outside, leaving them with no escape as the fire engulfed the building.

The prosecution presented a report from the government lab, which was later contested by the defense over the clarity of the images, prompting the judge to request additional colored photographs from the scene.

During cross-examination, Kibuuka conceded that there was no conclusive evidence to dismiss the possibility of an electrical short circuit, a detail that was not prioritized during the DGAL’s initial site visit.

The case has been adjourned until April 16, at the behest of Chief state attorney Noah Kunya, who cited the need to call further witnesses.

The amended charge sheet accuses three students from the school and a local resident of 48 counts, including murder, attempted murder, arson, and attempted arson, in relation to the November 11, 2018, fire that resulted in the deaths of Remigious Tamale and nine other students. The accused have been remanded to Masaka Central Prison as they await trial.