community 10 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Family of Budo Fire Heroine Yvonne Namaganda Seeks Enduring Tribute
Eighteen years after 10-year-old Yvonne Namaganda perished saving classmates from a dormitory fire at Budo Junior School, her family is advocating for a permanent memorial beyond the medals she received. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/family-seeks-lasting-tribute-for-heroine-of-budo-inferno-5491028
The family of Yvonne Namaganda, a national heroine recognized for her selfless act during the 2008 Budo Junior School fire, is appealing for more than just medals to commemorate her bravery. They desire a lasting tribute that will ensure future generations remember her sacrifice.
Yvonne, then a Primary Four student and dormitory captain, bravely re-entered the burning Nassolo Dormitory on April 14, 2008, to help younger pupils escape the inferno. Despite saving many lives, she tragically died when a section of the dormitory collapsed. The fire claimed 20 young lives.
In 2016, Namaganda was posthumously awarded the Rwenzori Star Medal, one of Uganda’s highest honours, for her exceptional courage. However, her parents, Paul Ssewanyana Ssalongo and Rebecca Namusisi, feel that this recognition, along with other accolades, does not adequately preserve her legacy.
“We are grateful that our daughter was recognised as a heroine, but we would like future generations to know who she was and what she stood for,” stated Mr. Ssewanyana. The family suggests a monument, memorial site, or a public institution named in her honor to keep her story alive and inspire selflessness.
Namaganda is remembered by her family as an exceptionally disciplined, responsible, and compassionate child with leadership qualities from a young age. Her dream was to become a lawyer to defend the vulnerable and fight for justice, a goal that sadly remained unfulfilled.
The school where the tragedy occurred has been reluctant to comment, citing the sensitive nature of the event and concerns about stigma. While Parliament had previously proposed a monument at the school, it does not appear to have been implemented.
As the nation approaches two decades since the devastating fire, the family continues to seek a tangible symbol of Yvonne’s heroic sacrifice, hoping it will serve as a perpetual reminder of her courage and the importance of service to others. The circumstances surrounding the fire itself remain unresolved, with no one held accountable due to insufficient evidence.