world 15 September 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Bukavu Mourns 27 Pupils Lost in Devastating School Fire
Bukavu, DRC, is in mourning following the burial of 27 primary school pupils who perished in a tragic fire last week. The blaze not only claimed young lives but also left hundreds homeless. Source: https://observer.ug/news/drc-27-pupils-buried-after-deadly-bukavu-school-fire
A cloud of grief hung over Bukavu as parents, relatives, and community members gathered on Monday to lay to rest 27 young pupils. The children tragically lost their lives in a fire that engulfed Ujamaa and Furaah primary schools on September 10, 2026.
The memorial service took place at the Royal Athenaeum Education Institution, providing a somber farewell for the victims. Reports indicate that some pupils died in a panicked stampede while attempting to flee the inferno, while others succumbed to smoke inhalation.
The fire originated on Funu B Avenue in the densely populated Kasheke area of Chimpunda district, South Kivu province. The blaze quickly spread, destroying over 500 homes and displacing hundreds of families, compounding the tragedy.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship extended its deepest sympathies to the bereaved families. The March 23 Movement/Alliance River Congo (M23/AFC) leadership also declared three days of mourning and offered condolences.
Senior M23/AFC officials, including Bertrand Bisimwa and Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, attended the burial service. Nangaa, in his eulogy, pledged that authorities would implement decisive measures to prevent future school fires in Bukavu, noting that the M23/AFC administration covered funeral and burial expenses.
The victims were ultimately interred at Ruzizi Cemetery, an event marked by profound sorrow. This disaster has not only left the Bukavu community devastated but has also reignited urgent discussions about safety protocols in schools and densely populated residential areas.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)