By Our Reporter,
WAKISO
A primary seven leaver in Wakiso district on Friday 26 January, 2024, burnt himself to death after he allegedly suffered from depression due to stigma from peers.
The deceased, Abdurahim Rusiba, 16, a resident of Kitende Sisa, Wakiso district allegedly covered himself in a blanket, poured it with petrol and set himself on fire in a bathroom.
He was rescued by the neighbors who saw smoke plumes rising from the outside bathroom while his guardians were at work.
An audio circulating on social media purpoted to be from the deceased aunt alleges that he committed the stressful act after he did not score 4 aggregates in the recently released 2023 PLE results.
“That’s my brother’s son […] When results came back, he realized he did not perform to his expectations, he went wrapped himself in a blanket, poured petrol on himself before he headed to the bathroom and put himself on fire,” a woman’s voice is heard in the audio clip.
Rusiba died on Saturday at 9am at Kiruddu Referral hospital where he had been rushed for treatment. Medical report indicate that he died of depression.
According to the report, the deceased had a damaged skin and his body was burnt beyond recognition.
“… The main issue was underlying mental health issues which had been diagnosed and addressed […] When he was asked why he attempted to commit suicide, he said he was not loved and that it was only his brother that loved him,” said Dr. Edris Kalanzi, head of burns and reconstructive surgery at Kiruddu hospital.
The deceased father, Musa Waligo told reports that his son had some time back told him that he was going to commit suicide because he was not loved by his peers who he said were mocking him because he had speech impairments.
Waligo said his son may have committed suicide because he was not loved ruling out poor performance at PLE.
