This has heightened fears for the safety of the vulnerable blind learners, many of whom are still recovering from the trauma of a devastating fire outbreak four years ago that claimed the lives of 11 pupils.
A vulnerable school for blind pupils is facing a growing security crisis due to lack of basic infrastructure, compounded by chronic underfunding and rising costs—raising urgent concerns about student safety and welfare years after a deadly fire tragedy which claimed lives of 11 blind pupils.
The administrators at Salama School for the Blind raised alarm saying they are recording increasing cases of armed attacks at the institution, warning that the safety of both pupils and staff is at serious risk.
The situation has been worsened by the absence of a perimeter wall, making it easy for intruders to access the school at any time. This has heightened fears for the safety of the vulnerable blind learners, many of whom are still recovering from the trauma of a devastating fire outbreak four years ago that claimed the lives of 11 pupils.
The headmistress, Dorothy Ssebadduka, highlighted these concerns while receiving donations from the St. Balikuddembe Old Students Association. The items, which included food and other basic necessities, are intended to support the welfare of the school’s more than 150 pupils.
Ssebadduka noted that as the only government institution of its kind in the region, the school receives a grant of just 1.7 million shillings per term—an amount she says is insufficient to meet essential needs such as food, learning materials, infrastructure maintenance, and staff support.
She added that the rising cost of specialized learning materials for blind pupils has further strained the school’s limited resources, making it increasingly difficult to provide quality education.
“We are grateful for the government’s support, but the money is not enough to run the school effectively. We struggle to meet the pupils’ needs. Sometimes we lack food, we do not have a perimeter fence, and we also lack a sick bay,” Ssebadduka said.
She cited a recent incident in which a pupil, Ayub Nabende, sustained a severe eye injury that required surgical removal, underscoring the urgent need for better medical facilities.
Ssebadduka also appealed for support toward acquiring an ambulance, noting that the lack of reliable transport makes it difficult to respond to medical emergencies in time.
“Our special needs children sometimes require urgent medical attention, but without an ambulance, it becomes very challenging to respond quickly,” she added.
Joseph Kiwendo, chairman of the St. Balikuddembe Old Students Association, emphasized the need to establish a vocational training institute for the pupils. He said this would equip them with practical skills for independent living after completing their studies.
He also called on more well-wishers to support the school, stressing that collective efforts can significantly improve the lives of the learners.
