12-year-old pupil collapses, dies after caning over noise-making

Butebo (UG):- Authorities in eastern Uganda’s Butebo District are investigating the tragic death of a 12-year-old student at Kawojan Primary School in an incident that occurred during a class session on Thursday.

According to the police report released by Acting Bukedi North Police Spokesperson SP Samuel Semewo, the deceased, Kisakye Vicky, was a P.4 pupil at the school.

“On the day of the incident, she reported to school as usual to resume her studies. However, during a class session taught by teacher Opio Juma, the teacher allegedly heard the pupil making too much noise,” Mr Semewo said, adding that when the teacher went back to the class, singled out seven pupils, including Kisakye, and caned their buttocks twice each using a small stick.

“After 10-20 minutes, Kisakye was seen collapsing from her desk. The teacher rushed to carry her outside the class to a tree shade, and the head teacher was informed. The school then called upon P.7 pupils to assist in transporting Kisakye to the SDA dispensary at Kakolo in Butebo.”

Upon arrival at the dispensary, Semewo said the medical there discovered that Kisakye had malaria and was anaemic, requiring urgent blood transfusion.

“She was immediately put on a drip and transferred to Kolonyi Hospital, where she passed away upon arrival,” he said.

In the aftermath of Kisakye’s passing, the deceased’s mother accused teacher Opio Juma of killing her daughter and mobilized a mob at the hospital which descended on the teacher, beating him up.

“Fortunately, a hospital security guard was able to lock the teacher in their office and call the police, who rescued him and took him to Nakaloke CPS – Mbale, where he was later picked up by Butebo police,” Mr Semewo expressed.

Subsequently, the Police at Butebo opened a case file on the incident, and several people were interviewed, and their statements recorded, while the body was retrieved from Kolonyi Hospital and transferred to the Mbale City mortuary for a postmortem examination.

Semewo said an investigation is ongoing, and more details will be provided as the case progresses and assured the public that they will leave no stone unturned in their investigation to uncover the truth and ensure that justice is served.