Budo Junior Fire Survivor Paula Ezuma Thrives in UK Film Industry

Eighteen years ago, a devastating fire ripped through Nassolo dormitory at King’s College Budo Junior School, claiming 20 young lives and leaving survivors like nine-year-old Paula Ezuma scarred by trauma.

Ezuma, the sole survivor from her triple-decker bed, woke to blinding flames and chaos. With the door locked by the matron, screams filled the air as girls scrambled for safety. She escaped but lost friends, clothes, and books, later learning of the deaths on TV.

The immediate aftermath brought intense grief. For weeks, haunting images plagued her, leading to isolation and tears. Her mother, Jane Ezuma Asiimwe, sought help from church leaders through prayers, aiding her recovery.

Determined, Ezuma returned to schooling at Sir Apollo Kaggwa Primary and later Bishop Cipriano Kihangiire Senior Secondary. She pursued her passion for film, graduating with a bachelor’s in visual effects from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK.

Today, she works as a film compositor at Framestore, contributing to blockbusters like Barbie, Deadpool, Wolverine, Project Hail Mary, and Thunderbolts. The fire silenced her childhood dreams temporarily but fueled her resilience.

Her mother recalls the agonizing wait for news that night, urging better school safety measures, regular parent communication, and scrutiny of visitors. Despite investigations fizzling out with weak evidence in 2018, school fires persist as a major issue.

Ezuma’s journey shows how survivors can rise from ashes, turning pain into purpose.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)