The Princess Royal has sent her thoughts and prayers to a school in Uganda after a devastating fire broke out days before she was due to visit.
Princess Anne has been in Uganda this week alongside her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, and had been due to visit the Salama School for the Blind in the Luga village on Friday, but a tragic fire broke out in one of the dormitories and killed 11 people on Tuesday.
In a statement, Her Royal Highness said: “I was shocked to hear the news of the tragic loss of life. The work of Sense International across many countries is hugely appreciated, working with such a vulnerable group of children. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and staff.”
Princess Anne is patron of Sense International, a charity working to support deafblind people around the world, and was scheduled to visit the Salama School for the Blind through her work with the charity.
Princess Anne will now meet with Sense International at its headquarters in the capital city of Kampala, meeting charity officials and some of the families they support; as well, she will pay her respects to those who lost their lives.
The Ugandan Police Force shared on Twitter: “The cause of the fire is currently unknown but so far 11 deaths as a result of the fire have been confirmed while six are in critical conditions and admitted [to hospital].”
Princess Anne has been in Uganda this week carrying out engagements related to her patronages. On Monday, she carried out engagements related to her role as Chancellor of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. On Tuesday, she acted on behalf of Opportunity International UK; and on Wednesday, she carried out engagements for Save the Children UK.
Her four-day visit to Uganda wraps up on Friday.
