Kalungu, Uganda — A nine-year-old Primary Four pupil at an unregistered boarding school in Lukaya Town Council, Kalungu District, has passed away, leaving the local community in deep sorrow.
Vanessa Nakayemba reportedly fell ill while in her dormitory. School administrators are said to have tried to attend to her before her condition worsened. She later died, prompting her family to demand a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police have indicated that the dormitory where the pupil had been staying was overcrowded and in poor sanitary condition. A school matron has since been taken into custody to assist with ongoing inquiries.
The tragedy has sparked renewed warnings from local authorities, who are urging parents to verify the registration status of schools before enrolling their children. Officials say the case underscores the dangers associated with unlicensed institutions operating without proper oversight.
As the school community mourns, counseling services are being offered to support affected pupils. Authorities have also pledged to intensify inspections and enforcement measures to improve safety standards in private boarding schools across the district.
