By Karim Were
A first-year student at Kyambogo University has died after sustaining severe burns in a fire incident reportedly caused by a cooking coil explosion at his rented accommodation in Bweyogerere.
The deceased, Bumba Juma, was pursuing a Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management and was attached to Nanziri Hall. He succumbed to his injuries on Saturday while receiving treatment at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital.
According to reports, Juma suffered critical burns when a cooking coil allegedly exploded as he prepared a meal in his room. Neighbours are said to have responded quickly to the incident, but the student sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital.
While accounts circulating on social media point to a cooking appliance malfunction as the cause of the fire, authorities had not officially confirmed the exact circumstances surrounding the incident by press time.
The tragedy has sparked renewed concerns about fire safety in student-hosted accommodation, where many learners rely on electrical cooking devices in small rental rooms.
In a statement, the Kyambogo University Guild confirmed Juma’s death and expressed condolences to his family, friends and fellow students. The university said it had facilitated embalming, transportation and burial arrangements under its Student Burial Policy.
Juma is expected to be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kamonkoli Kerene Village, Budaka District.
The university further noted that it would not send an official delegation to the burial, citing Ministry of Health guidelines related to Ebola prevention measures.
