WAKISO, Uganda — Police have launched investigations into the death of an 18-year-old student at Naalya Secondary School’s Bweyogerere Campus after he was found hanging inside a school toilet block in what authorities are treating as a suspected suicide.
The incident occurred on the evening of July 8 at the school’s Bweyogerere campus in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, according to Kampala Metropolitan Police.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire said officers attached to Bweyogerere Police Station had commenced investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
“The Police at Bweyogerere are investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspected suicide,” Owoyesigyire said.
According to preliminary police findings, school administrators alerted law enforcement authorities after the student was discovered hanging in the boys’ toilet section within the school premises.
Detectives later visited the scene, documented evidence, recorded witness statements and transferred the body to Mulago City Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Police also recovered a handwritten note believed to have been authored by the deceased.
Investigators said the contents of the note are being analysed as part of efforts to establish the events leading to the student’s death.
Authorities have withheld the student’s identity pending formal notification of relatives and completion of investigations.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the school community and renewed concerns about the emotional and psychological wellbeing of learners in Uganda’s education system.
Education experts and child welfare advocates have increasingly raised alarm about mental health challenges affecting young people, particularly within highly competitive academic environments.
While investigators have not disclosed any possible motive, specialists note that adolescent mental health issues often involve a complex combination of academic pressure, family challenges, social isolation, bullying, anxiety and untreated psychological distress.
Mental health professionals caution against drawing conclusions before investigations are completed and urge schools and families to pay closer attention to warning signs among young people.
The tragedy adds to a series of similar incidents reported in educational institutions across the country in recent years.
In February 2025, police investigated the death of a 16-year-old student at Seeta High School in Mukono District who was found dead in a boys’ dormitory in circumstances that were also treated as a suspected suicide.
The incident prompted renewed debate about student welfare and mental health support systems within schools.
Following that case, Parliament called for a review of student safety and wellbeing measures in educational institutions, with lawmakers urging the Ministry of Education and Sports to investigate the increasing number of deaths reported in schools.
Education stakeholders have since advocated for stronger counselling programmes, mental health awareness initiatives and improved access to professional psychological support for learners.
Police statistics indicate that suicide continues to be a significant public health challenge in Uganda.
According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025, authorities recorded 1,282 suicide cases during the year, compared to 1,266 cases in 2024.
Although overall crime levels declined during the reporting period, suicide incidents remained persistently high, highlighting ongoing mental health challenges across different age groups.
Health experts argue that many cases go unreported or are misclassified due to social stigma, cultural sensitivities and limited awareness about mental health conditions.
Also Read: Former Jinja Road DPC Julius Ahimbisibwe found dead in septic tank
They have called for increased investment in counselling services, community awareness programmes and early intervention mechanisms aimed at supporting vulnerable individuals before crises escalate.
Police said investigations into the Naalya Secondary School incident remain ongoing and that additional information will be released once inquiries are completed.
Authorities are expected to review witness accounts, the contents of the recovered note and postmortem findings before determining the final circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
The case is likely to reignite discussions about mental health support within schools and the broader responsibility of educational institutions, parents and government agencies in safeguarding the wellbeing of learners.
