news 28 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Prosecution Concludes Case in Rakai School Fire Trial, Awaiting Court Ruling
The prosecution has closed its case in the trial of two individuals accused in the 2018 St. Bernard Secondary School dormitory fire, which resulted in multiple student deaths. The court is now awaiting a ruling on whether the accused have a case to answer. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/prosecution-closes-case-in-rakai-school-fire-trial-5574958
The trial involving two suspects accused of a deadly dormitory fire at St. Bernard Secondary School, Manya in Rakai District, has reached a significant milestone. Prosecutors have concluded their submissions before Masaka High Court.
The investigating officer, Goffin Butere, testified that crucial exhibits, including suspected clothing and broken padlocks, were seized from one of the accused, Niyo Edison. However, Butere admitted that a bottle containing suspected paraffin traces and other items submitted to the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory (DGAL) for examination were never returned, hindering the prosecution’s ability to present complete evidence.
Defense lawyer Sam Ssekyewa argued that police overlooked statements from teachers and neighbors that pointed to internal school unrest. These statements allegedly indicated staff dissatisfaction with a mandatory reapplication process for their jobs, suggesting this as a potential motive for the fire, rather than solely focusing on suspended students.
Despite the challenges, the prosecution, led by Michael Wakosese, tendered the list of exhibits and a suspension letter into evidence. The prosecution formally closed its case, requesting the court to commit the accused for defense.
The presiding judge has adjourned the proceedings until August 31st to deliver a ruling on whether the accused, Alex Mugarura and Edison Niyo, have a case to answer. They remain remanded in Masaka Main Prison. The two are facing 50 counts, including murder and arson, stemming from the November 2018 incident that claimed the lives of ten students.