Apac District, Uganda – A powerful rainstorm swept through Ibuje Sub-county on Tuesday night causing catastrophic damage to Igoti Primary School and leaving the surrounding community in a state of shock and despair.
The violent storm, which lasted for several hours, ripped off iron sheets from multiple classroom blocks, flattened walls, and uprooted trees across the school compound. What were once hubs of learning are now piles of twisted metal, scattered textbooks, and broken bricks. Preliminary reports indicate that several structures were completely destroyed, rendering the school temporarily non-operational.
“It was terrifying. The wind was roaring like an engine, and within minutes, the roofs of the classrooms were flying off like pieces of paper,” recounted a local resident,who sought shelter during the storm. “We are lucky no one was inside at the time, but the school is gone.”
The destruction extends beyond the school grounds. Several homes in the vicinity of Igoti Primary School also suffered damage, with families losing their household belongings to the rain that followed the wind. The community is currently grappling with the immediate need for shelter and safety.
Local authorities and disaster management committees from Ibuje Sub-county visited the scene early Wednesday to assess the extent of the damage. Education officials in Apac District fear that the destruction will severely disrupt learning for hundreds of pupils enrolled at the institution.
“This is a huge setback for education in this area,” said a district official who spoke on condition of anonymity until an official report is filed. “We are looking at alternative arrangements—possibly sharing space with neighboring schools or implementing shift systems—to ensure that candidates preparing for national exams are not left behind.”
Head teachers and members of the Parents and Teachers’ Association (PTA) have issued an urgent appeal to the government, humanitarian organizations, and well-wishers for immediate intervention. The school is in dire need of emergency shelter materials, including tarpaulins and iron sheets, as well as scholastic materials to replace those destroyed by the rain.
“Our children have nowhere to learn. We are calling upon the government and NGOs to come to our aid,” a parent lamented while sifting through the debris in search of salvageable books.
As the community of Ibuje Sub-county begins the long process of picking up the pieces, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of the children and restoring access to education as quickly as possible. Efforts to clear the debris and secure the remaining structures are underway.
