By Obed Kankiriho
Police in Kanungu District have arrested a Senior Four student of Trinity College Butogota Secondary School in connection with an alleged arson incident that caused a fire outbreak at the school’s male dormitory.
The incident occurred on Monday at around 8:30pm in Butogota Town Council.
The suspect, identified as Elisha John, a 20-year-old resident of Butogota Upper, is alleged to have set the dormitory on fire following his suspension from school on June 3, 2026, over repeated acts of indiscipline.
Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect accessed the school premises in the evening and was seen moving within the compound. He is also alleged to have taken a uniform from a clothesline before briefly joining other students for evening preps in the library.
Shortly after, a student reportedly saw flames coming from the male dormitory and raised an alarm. Another student is said to have seen the suspect running away from the scene half-dressed.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson SP Nelson Tumushime confirmed the incident, saying police and residents responded quickly and managed to contain the fire before it spread further.
He added that no injuries or fatalities were recorded, although property damage is yet to be fully assessed. The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
