Another Kasese Senior Four candidate dies during UCE exams

Bwera SS is based in Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Municipal Council, Bukonzo West County.

Police say Nabasirye began having difficulty breathing overnight on October 14 after completing her initial paperwork on Monday.

The deterioration in her health prompted school principal Penina Biira to rush her to Bwera General Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 12.30pm (October 15).

“It is a shame that the school has lost one of its trusted candidates, who handed in her first papers together with her classmates on Monday. She also took part in the evening preparations afterwards,” said SP Nelson Tumushime, spokesperson for the Rwenzori Regional Police.

Bwera SS Catholic Chaplain Rev. Yozephano Opolot narrated it Monitor that Nabasirye participated in Monday evening prayers despite being a Muslim.

“She showed no signs of any illness. When we heard of her sudden death, we comforted her classmates and prayed to God for strength. This morning, other candidates were allowed to view the body of their colleague before going to the examination room,” he added.

According to available information, Nabasirye is from Rubirizi district, but the father has another house in the customs area in Mpondwe – Lhubiriha municipality, where the body was transferred for his last respects on Tuesday. Her body is expected to be taken to her ancestral village in Bunyaruguru for burial.

Pastor Opolot disclosed that the demise of Nabasirye means the school has lost two S.4 students in two months.

“The other died by suicide at the beginning of this semester. This was the boy we suspended for indiscipline and he was advised to find another school where he would study and come back at the time he was going to take the UCE exams,” he said.

“He was suspended in 2^i.e semester and transferred to another sister school in Kitholhu Sub-county,” he added.

Bwera SS initially registered 269 candidates for UCE examinations organized by the Uganda National Examination Board (Uneb).

On October 12, Karambi Secondary School S4 candidate Emma Maate also died by suicide after attending last Friday’s briefing at the Bukonzo West County educational institution.

It is believed Maate hanged himself following allegations that he impregnated a student in S.1 at the same school.