news 12 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Rakai School Fire: Suspects Freed as Court Cites Poor Investigations
Two suspects in the 2018 St. Bernard Secondary School fire, which killed 10 students, have been acquitted due to insufficient evidence and flawed police investigations. The ruling leaves victims' families without answers regarding the cause and perpetrators of the tragedy. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/how-2018-rakai-school-fire-suspects-walked-free-5630022
The long-awaited trial for the 2018 fire at St. Bernard Secondary School, Maanya, in Rakai District, has concluded with the acquittal of the final two suspects. Justice Victoria Nakintu Katamba of the High Court dismissed all 48 charges against Edison Niyo and Alex Junior Magurula on October 5, 2026, citing critical failures in the police investigation.
This ruling brings a close to a protracted legal battle that began after the devastating fire on November 11, 2018, which claimed the lives of 10 students and injured over 30 others. The court found that investigators did not properly gather evidence, present crucial exhibits, or follow up on significant leads, leaving the case built on speculation and hearsay.
Earlier in the proceedings, two other suspects, Henry Taremwa and Dickson Kisule, had also been discharged. Taremwa, initially charged with murder, arson, and attempted murder, was released in October 2024 after the court determined he was a minor at the time of his arrest and had spent an excessive period in an adult prison. Kisule was released in July 2026 when the defense successfully argued that the prosecution had failed to provide any evidence linking him to the crime, noting that witnesses confirmed he was in police custody during the incident.
The investigation initially focused on senior students suspended from the school hostel. However, the subsequent focus shifted to the four individuals charged. During the trial against Niyo and Magurula, the investigating officer struggled to explain the significance of recovered items and failed to confirm if forensic analyses were conducted.
The court assessors had previously recommended acquittal, stating the prosecution lacked substantive evidence. Justice Nakintu concurred, concluding that the involvement of Niyo and Magurula in the fire could not be proven.
This outcome has left the families of the victims without definitive answers about who was responsible for the tragic event that destroyed lives and property. The lack of accountability underscores the challenges faced in establishing justice when investigations are compromised.