Police in Mbarara are investigating the death of a 16-year-old secondary school student after she was allegedly taken to a security room by her teacher, where she was later found dead.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Kakoba Central Cell, Kakoba Ward, Mbarara City.
According to a police incident report, the deceased has been identified as Nankunda Gift, a Senior Two student at Rwampara Progressive School.
Police said the teacher, identified as Atuhereze Seine, 30, is attached to Rwampara Comprehensive School.
Teacher allegedly diverted student
Police said the teacher allegedly picked Nankunda from her home at about 9:30am, reportedly on the pretext of taking her to Rwampara Comprehensive School.
However, investigators said he instead allegedly diverted her to Kakoba Central Cell, where he obtained access to a sentry box used by a security guard.
The report states that the security guard, identified as Singwire, left the two inside the room at about 10am.
When he returned at around 4pm, the room was reportedly still locked from inside.
Efforts to communicate with the occupants reportedly failed, prompting the guard and others to break the padlock to gain access.
They reportedly found Nankunda lying on a mattress and already dead, while the teacher was lying beside her unconscious.
The teacher was removed from the room and taken for medical attention after reportedly being found with foam coming from his mouth.
Police suspect suffocation
Police said the sentry box had no ventilation.
Investigators also reported finding a charcoal stove burning inside the room, with water boiling on it near the door.
The police report states that the teacher was found unconscious and that the circumstances suggested possible suffocation.
However, police said the cause of Nankunda’s death would be established through a postmortem examination.
Her body was taken to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem.
The teacher was also rushed to the same hospital for treatment.
Student reportedly carried school items
Police said Nankunda was found wearing a green T-shirt and blue skirt, described in the report as her school uniform.
She was also reportedly carrying school requirements, including toilet paper, sanitary pads and other personal belongings in a box.
Investigators documented the scene and recorded statements from witnesses.
Police also issued medical examination forms as part of the investigation.
Defilement allegation
Police have registered the case under CPS Mbarara DEF:040/2026, with the incident being investigated as suspected suffocation and aggravated defilement.
The report states that the deceased was below the age of consent and that the suspect was her teacher.
Police said investigations are ongoing.
Editor’s note: The allegations above are based on the police incident report provided. The report records suspicion and preliminary findings; the exact cause of death and circumstances of the incident remain subject to forensic examination and further investigation.
