Parliament yesterday paid glowing tribute to Yvonne Namaganda, a victim of the Budo Junior School inferno who died while rescuing other pupils, by passing a motion compelling the government to declare her a national heroine.

The motion moved by Wakiso Woman MP Rosemary Seninde (NRM), in whose constituency the catastrophic Budo fire occurred, received overwhelming support from legislators across the political divide. At least 20 pupils aged between four and ten, died in the tragic Monday night fire of 14, April. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but the police remain tight-lipped on results of its investigations of possible foul play.

In a passionate speech, Ms Seninde recounted the heroic acts of the late Namaganda, a ten year-old primary five pupil who doubled as dorm captain of the razed Nassolo dormitory, as she helped open the burning dorm and managed to rescue several other helpless pupils. "This young girl showed brave courage," said Ms Seninde. "She did what even adults cannot do and the majority of pupils testified that she was the one who saved them."

Busongora MP Christopher Kibanzanga (FDC) mimicking Born-again pastors, presenting his speech as a sermon, citing the book of Matthew where Jesus said, "Let the children come to me for the Kingdom of God belongs to them," before concluding: "Let Namaganda be declared the youngest heroine of our time. Namaganda is compared to Jesus who saved the whole world with his blood."

Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi spoke of Namaganda as a "courageous and selfless" girl, whose life should be emulated, telling MPs that he had directed the Minister of Education to formally "bring this matter to cabinet so that an appropriate reply can be given to the country."