Seeta High School breaks silence on S.6 Student who died mysteriously at swimming pool

Mukono, Uganda: The Management of Seeta High School has spoken out for the first time regarding the tragic death of Kevin Nsamba, a 21-year-old Senior Six student who reportedly drowned at the school’s Mbalala campus swimming pool on Sunday, August 3.

In an official statement released August 05, the Principal Seeta High Schools, Mr Kafumbe Davis, confirmed that the incident occurred when a group of students, returning from a football match, ran to and jumped into the pool without following school rules.

“The victim, who did not know how to swim, was among them,” Mr Kafumbe noted, emphasising that their action was unauthorised and outside the school’s swimming guidelines.

The administration, according to the Principal, only became aware of the tragedy during a roll call afterward. “School security mounted a search and later called in police for reinforcement,” he stated, adding that a joint search, conducted in the presence of the boy’s parents, led to his body being discovered in the pool. Police later retrieved the body and conducted a post-mortem at Mulago City Mortuary.

Police confirmed the arrest of a lifeguard assigned to oversee pool activity, who is currently in custody to assist investigations.

Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, called the case one of suspected drowning and highlighted critical delays in reporting the incident and inadequate supervision.

He added that CCTV footage currently under review reportedly shows Kevin jumping into the deep end and resurfacing once before disappearing.

Investigations are ongoing, with detectives, forensic officers, and fire rescue teams involved. Police warn they are examining the circumstances under which the drowning occurred, including whether negligence or delayed response played a role. Seeta High’s pool has been closed pending further investigations.

Kevin’s death comes amid a disturbing pattern of school-related fatalities in Mukono District.

Earlier in May, 16-year-old Elishama Ssesaazi, a Senior Three student at Seeta High’s main campus, was found dead in what authorities described as suicide, though her family disputes that ruling. Shortly after, a 30-year-old teacher at the school was murdered under unexplained circumstances.

Public skepticism continues to grow. Some parents have questioned how witnesses failed to alert authorities or intervene during the incident, and why the school delayed notifying police. Community pressure is mounting for an independent investigation and swift reforms.