Police in Kiboga District have launched investigations into the death of a 15-year-old Senior Three student who allegedly drowned in a neighbour’s dam after leaving home following a disagreement with her mother.
The deceased has been identified as Priscilla Nanyonjo, a Senior Three student at Bukomero Secondary School and daughter to Nalugwa Fatuma. The incident occurred on July 14, 2026, in Temanakali Village, Bukomero Sub-county, Kiboga District.
According to preliminary police findings, the incident happened at around 6:00am when Priscilla’s mother asked why she was not preparing to go to school.
Police said the teenager responded that she had washed her school uniform but appeared upset before walking out of the house.
She reportedly crossed the road to a neighbouring property owned by John Kinalwa, a Kampala resident who owns a dam at the location.
Concerned about her daughter’s behaviour, Nalugwa followed her but upon reaching the dam, she only found Priscilla’s shoes abandoned on the shoreline, prompting her to raise alarm.
Wamala Regional Police Spokesperson SSP Lameck Kigozi said the mother’s cries for help attracted residents and the village chairperson, who later notified police.
“Police officers responded to the scene, documented the area, recorded statements from witnesses and recovered a pair of shoes believed to belong to the deceased,” SSP Kigozi said.
Police established that the dam is approximately nine feet deep. The body was later retrieved from the water and identified as that of Priscilla.
A postmortem examination was conducted at the scene before the remains were handed over to the family for burial.
Investigators said there was no known history of mental illness involving the deceased, who had been raised by her mother.
“The circumstances surrounding the girl’s decision remain unclear, and investigations are continuing to establish what may have prompted the tragic incident,” Kigozi added.
Police have also appealed to owners of dams and other water reservoirs to ensure they are properly secured to prevent similar incidents.
“We urge owners of dams and other water bodies to fence or secure them to reduce the risk they pose to members of the public, especially children and other vulnerable persons,” SSP Kigozi said.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
