Police in Mbale city have launched investigations after another teenage girl was found dead in her room in what is suspected to be a case of suicide.
Vanisa Namakoye, 19, a senior five student at Mbale Progressive Secondary School and a resident of Bunamwani Lower Cell, was found dead at her home in Bumutoto Ward, Industrial Division.
The incident comes just days after 16-year-old Catherine Nelima was found dead two days earlier in a similar suspected suicide case in Bukisukye Lower Cell, also in Bumutoto Ward.
According to Elgon regional police spokesperson Rogers Taitika, the two girls were close friends. Police reports indicate that Namakoye is believed to have died between 10:30 pm and midnight on Thursday. Investigators say she was found hanging in her room.
According to preliminary findings, the events leading to the incident began earlier in the evening when Namakoye sent her younger sister with Shs 10,000 to buy food for supper. The younger girl reportedly lost the money and returned home empty-handed.
Police say Namakoye became angered by the loss and allegedly assaulted her sister, prompting their grandmother to intervene and protect the child. Later, when Namakoye’s mother, Juliet Natulal, returned home, she was informed about the incident.
Attempts to speak to her daughter were unsuccessful after the teenager reportedly locked herself in a room and refused to respond. At about 9:30pm, Natulal left for a nearby trading centre. When she returned shortly before midnight in the company of her husband, Moses Mutoto, they found their daughter unresponsive inside the room.
Police were notified and officers from the Homicide Department and Scene of Crime Office (SOCO) responded to the scene. The officers documented the scene and recovered exhibits before the body was taken to Mbale City Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
The incident has renewed concern over the increasing number of suspected suicide cases involving young people in Mbale city. Police have urged parents, guardians, teachers and community leaders to pay close attention to the emotional wellbeing of children and adolescents and to provide support to those facing personal or psychological challenges.