The police have arrested the headteacher and a matron of Kololo Junior School in Wakiso district following the death of a 14-year-old pupil who was found hanging in the school dormitory.
The deceased, identified as John Terry Kiseka, a primary five pupil, was discovered by fellow pupils at around 8 pm as they returned to the dormitory after the evening prep. According to police, the pupils found Kiseka’s body suspended from a roofing pole with a red scarf tied around his neck.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala confirmed the incident, saying the matter is being investigated as a suspected suicide.
“Our police findings indicate that as pupils returned to the dormitory from evening prep, they found Terry hanging inside. They immediately informed the matron, who notified the school director, but police were informed later,” Kawala said.
She added that police have since launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspected suicide. We urge schools, parents, and guardians to report to police or seek help if children show signs of depression or distress. Talking to children, at school and home, is crucial,” Kawala said.
Police say similar incidents have been reported in recent years. In 2025, Elishamah Ssesazi, 16, was found hanging in a dormitory at Seeta High School in Mukono district.
In my strongest opinion, except Orphanages all Boarding Nursery and/or Primary Schools or Sections MUST BE CLOSED/abolished.
In other words, boarding school for children under 16 is not only alienating parental love and care, but also dehumanizing. The HISTORY of Boarding Schools was in Medieval Europe, and had to do with the institutionalization of DESTITUTION. Such as children having been totally orphaned or the danger of some children living/growing up in a dysfunctional families under e.g.: irreconcilable GBV caused by alcoholism and/or drug abuse as well single parenthood under dehumanizing poverty.
It was originally started by the Church. And as things got worse the government stepped in. And it came along with colonialism that is/was how mistaken we are about “boarding school”. We think it is a norm and privilege. WRONG!
If 14-year Old John Terry Kiseka a P5 pupil had been going to school from home, he would still be alive because his parents especially the mother and/or siblings, might have notice something the matter with him.
Moreover, under normal circumstance John Terry Kiseka, was already too old to be in P5, but Senior Two (S2).
Otherwise, why should a 14-year-old commit suicide by hanging? Two day ago there was another 13-year-old one who hanged himself somewhere in Mbale.
May John Terry Kiseka’s soul be at Peace, far away from our dysfunctional families and world.