KAMULI — Police in Kamuli District are investigating the death of a 14-year-old Senior Four student following a reported disagreement at home over a mobile phone.
The deceased has been identified as Basoome Amuza, a student at Irundu Secondary School in Buyende District and a resident of Nabirumba Parish, Nabwigulu Sub-county.
Police said the teenager was found dead near his family home, prompting officers to visit the scene and begin investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The body was later handed over to the family for burial as police continued with inquiries.
Family dispute
Preliminary information indicates that the incident followed a disagreement between the student and his parents after he reportedly returned home with a mobile phone whose source had not been explained.
George Boogere, the LCIII chairperson of Nabwigulu Sub-county, said the teenager was questioned by his father about the phone.
He said the student was subsequently instructed to undertake garden work the following morning, after which he was found dead.
Mr Boogere described the incident as distressing and called for greater intervention by community, religious and local leaders.
“This is the second tragedy of people taking their lives in just two weeks. I call upon leaders and religious leaders to intervene,” he said.
Call for counselling
Mr Boogere urged people experiencing emotional distress to seek support from trusted family members, friends, religious leaders, counsellors or other responsible adults.
Muyangu Swaibu, the Kamuli District chairperson for private schools and a resident of the area, also called for stronger communication between parents and children.
He said parents should create an environment where children feel able to discuss problems and difficult situations at home.
The incident has renewed calls from community leaders for stronger guidance and counselling programmes in schools and communities to help young people deal with emotional, social and family-related challenges.
Police said investigations are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
Authorities have urged parents, teachers and community leaders to pay attention to signs of emotional distress among young people and ensure that children have safe and trusted avenues through which they can seek help.