Rakai School fire: DPP asked to speed up investigations
Some of the suspects in court. Photo by Gertrude Mutyaba
MASAKA. Relatives of students who are suspected to have had a hand in the school fire at St. Bernard's SS Mannya in Kyotera District last year have asked the Director of Public Prosecution to speed up investigations into the case against their family members.
It is alleged that four of the students and two security guards set ablaze the Senior Three dormitory, killing 11 students while 48 suffered injuries of varying degrees on November 11, 2018.
Ms Josephine Ingabire, a sister to one of the suspects said the suspects are juveniles yet prison authorities have continued to keep them in jail together with adult offenders.
"My little brother is only 17 years old and we are scared because he is being detained with adults," Ms Ingabire said.
Ms Ingabire told Daily Monitor that they have on several occasions tried to secure bail for their relatives in vain.
On Friday, Masaka Grade One Magistrate Christopher Tindyebwa Adyeri, for the third time adjourned the case after prosecution said investigations into their case are still ongoing.
The suspects were sent back to Masaka Central Prison until March 22 when they will report back to court.
The suspects are charged with 51 counts among which include; 10 of murder, 37 attempted murder, two of arson, and one of malicious damage to property, whereas the two security guards will be charged with neglect of duty.
In an interview with journalists after the court session, His Worship Adyeri said as a magistrate he cannot decide the fate of the suspects unless they are committed to the High Court.
He said that his court cannot do anything apart from mention and making adjournments.
"I will only wait for the DPP for a period of six months to finish the investigations. Thereafter, the suspects will be acquitted or committed to the High Court for trial," he said.
Ms Victoria Ann Nanteza, the State Attorney said they are still collecting evidence against the suspects and the process will soon be concluded.
