By Annet Nakanwagi,
LWENGO
The police in Kyazanga, Lwengo district are investigating circumstances under which a 9-year-old pupil committed suicide after being detained by the school for failure to pay fees balance.
Joel Ojuma, 9, a pupil at COLOH Children’s Foundation and resident of Byuma zone, Kyazanga Town Council , Lwengo district committed suicide by hanging on Saturday November 25.
It is reported that the school closed for holidays on Friday last week (November 24) but retained some pupils who had not completed their school dues. When the deceased sister, Kasifa Alinda came to pick him, she was stopped by the bursar from taking him.
The deceased remained in the dormitory with another colleague, Allan Lwanga who was picked by his parents the following day.
“The school now remained with two pupils a boy; Joel Ojuma (the deceased) and a girl identified as Ramula Namugga who were kept in separate dormitories, ” police reported.
At around 1200hrs on Saturday, police report added, the school cook only identified as Robert sent Ramula to take food to Ojuma in his dormitory unfortunately, she found when he was dead and hanging in a rope.
The girl informed one of the teachers who also alerted the school director about the tragic incident.
The matter was reported to police by the school director and a case of suicide by hanging was registered vide KZG CRB/293/2023.
Police visited the scene of the crime and arrested three suspects namely; Chris Matovu (Director), Julius Sekatawa (Headteacher) and Muzafaru Kagenda (Bursar) for causing frustration to the pupil which led to suicide.
