Mbale High School Students Set Dorm Ablaze After Being Denied Football Match Viewing
A quiet Sunday evening erupted into chaos at Mbale Boys High School in Vihiga County after students allegedly set one of their dormitories on fire. The incident, which occurred on the night of May 25, 2025, is believed to have stemmed from frustrations after the school administration denied students permission to watch a highly anticipated football match.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest began as a peaceful outcry but quickly escalated into an uncontrollable inferno of rage. Students reportedly hurled lockers and other school property onto the Mbale–Chavakali road, temporarily paralysing traffic and leaving the highway littered with debris.
Smoke billowed into the night sky as flames engulfed parts of the school, prompting motorists to seek alternative routes to avoid the unrest. The incident drew the attention of security forces who struggled to restore order as tensions ran high.
Local sources say the unrest may have also been fueled by other unresolved grievances beyond the football ban. Several school buildings were damaged, a perimeter wall collapsed, and some vehicles parked nearby were reportedly vandalised.
While there are unconfirmed reports that some students were injured and others fled into nearby villages to escape the chaos, no fatalities had been reported at the time of publishing. Several students are said to be receiving treatment in local health facilities, though the exact number remains unclear.
As of Monday morning, the school management had not released an official statement. Education stakeholders in Vihiga County have expressed concern over the incident, calling for calm and immediate investigations into the underlying causes.
Authorities are expected to assess the full extent of the damage and chart the way forward regarding the reopening of the school.
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Mbale High School Students Set Dorm Ablaze After Being Denied Football Match Viewing