Police in Wakiso District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 14-year-old primary five pupil who was found hanging in a school dormitory.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala identified the deceased as John Terry Kisekka.
The incident occurred at around 8:00 pm on Tuesday at Kololo Junior School in Gombe A Cell, Gombe Ward, Wakiso Town Council.
“As pupils returned to the dormitory from evening prep, they found Terry hanging inside the dormitory. They immediately informed the matron, who notified the school director,” Ms Kawala said, adding that the school director and the matron have since been arrested.
Preliminary police findings indicate that the body was tied with a red scarf and found hanging from a roofing pole inside the dormitory.
On Wednesday, Patrick Ssekatawa, the village defence secretary, told Monitor that he received information about the incident by phone and found police already at the scene upon arrival.
“One of the teachers I interacted with said the pupil had gone to the mosque with his fellow learners but came back earlier than the rest, closed the dormitory and hanged himself,” Mr Ssekatawa said, noting that the pupil was not Muslim.
He said he suspected the cause of death might be linked to family or academic issues.
“Maybe he never liked the school because he was a new pupil at this school. I have been told he joined this term,” he added.
Gombe Woman Chairperson Grace Nakibirango urged parents to closely monitor their children’s well-being.
“If he was an old person, we would say maybe it was stress for money or any other issue,” she said.
The school has been temporarily closed following the incident, prompting concern among parents.
“I have four children there and one of them is a candidate. We are worried because we are not aware of when it will be reopened,” Teddy Nakasagga told Newzzone Publication Ltd .
Earlier, Ms Kawala urged schools and stakeholders to promptly report to police or seek professional help whenever signs of distress are observed in children.
Investigations are ongoing.