Police in Mbarara are investigating the death of a 16-year-old secondary school student who was found dead in a poorly ventilated security room in Kakoba, Mbarara City, alongside a teacher who had allegedly taken her there instead of school.
The deceased was a Senior Two student at Rwampara Progressive School and resident of Kasyoro Village, Nyabikungu Parish, Rugando Sub-county in Rwampara District.
The teacher, identified as Atuhereze Seine, 30, of Ntungamo Village, Nyaruhandagazi Parish, Bugamba Sub-county in Rwampara District, was found unconscious beside Nankunda and rushed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.
According to police, Atuhereze allegedly picked the teenager from her home at about 9:30am on September 16, 2026, purportedly to take her to Rwampara Comprehensive School, where he teaches.
Instead, police said, he diverted her to a security room in Kakoba Central Cell, where an askari guarding rental houses reportedly left the two together at about 10am.
When the askari returned at about 4pm, police said, the room was still locked from inside and there was no response when he attempted to call those inside. The padlock was subsequently broken to gain access.
The teenager was found lying dead on a mattress, while Atuhereze was found unconscious beside her. He was taken outside to get fresh air before being rushed to hospital.
Police said the room had no ventilation and a charcoal stove with boiling water was found burning inside. The suspect was also found with foam coming from his mouth.
The mattress on which the deceased was found was reportedly wet, while police said she was found wearing a green T-shirt and blue skirt, with her legs spread apart and without underwear.
Police said the student had also carried school items, including toilet paper, sanitary pads and other personal effects.
The motorcycle allegedly used by the teacher, registration number UEE 201E, was found parked at the premises.
Police have registered the case under reference DEF:040/2026 and visited and documented the scene. Statements have also been recorded from witnesses, while the deceased’s body was taken to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem.
Police issued PF48A and PF48B forms as part of the investigations. Police are treating the matter as suspected suffocation and aggravated defilement. However, the exact cause of the student’s death is yet to be established pending the postmortem and completion of investigations. The investigation is being conducted by officers attached to Mbarara Central Police Station under Rwizi Region-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
