By Jumah Kakomo
The Uganda People’ Congress UPC has called for thorough investigations that goes to the root causes of the re-emergency of fire outbreaks as well as carrying out surgical interventions.
Arach Oyat Sharon, the party spokesperson says there must be a physical routine inspection of all schools across the country to check on electrical installations, wiring and state of the buildings.
“Government should put in place an effective mechanism to ensure that schools meet the required basic standards and/or upgrade the facilities. Each school should be encouraged to employ qualified electricians as well as risk managers. Of recent, the media has been awash of images of very dilapidated classrooms and state of Government schools which is very risky to the lives our pupils/students! This requires utmost attention.” Said Arach
All along, Uganda has continuously experienced fire outbreaks especially in markets and Schools with the latest fire incident at St. Theresa Kisubi Girls Primary School along Entebbe road and that of Kasaana Junior School in Nyendo Masaka were the death toll has raised to 7 pupils.
UPC sent out heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their children due to fire outbreak at Kasaana Junior School and urged Government and school authorities to compensate the families of the victims and assist all the affected pupils.
On the fire outbreaks in the markets, UPC asserted that they expect he government to offer better services since through Local Councils government in directly owns, controls and manages markets. .
Arach called for installation of smoke detectors and upgrade of the police wing of fire brigade for real- time response. In addition to ensuring the availability of near-by water points that are fully accessible in times of a crisis.
She further added that the accessibility extends to the nature of the roads in the various residential and business centres where at times it very difficult to reach the destination which calls for proper planning and informed designs of the country’s infrastructure.
