Mbarara student collapses on pitch, dies later

By Aloysius Byamukama

A student of Mbarara High School in western Uganda has died after collapsing on the school playground.

Baram Amutahaire, 18, was pronounced dead moments after arrival at the nearby Ruharo Mission Hospital Friday evening.

He had gone with his colleagues to the pitch at Kiyanja for practice ahead of the Inter-house Sports competitions/Sports Day due next week on Saturday.

Visibly stunned witnesses said their schoolmate collapsed suddenly, shortly after getting on the pitch.

He was immediately rushed to the school dispensary by his grief-stricken colleagues, and later to Ruharo Mission Hospital, the school deputy headteacher Ham Ahimbisibwe told New Vision.

He was pronounced dead at 7.00pm local time (EAT) – a few minutes after arrival at the health facility.

“We are very shocked by the incident because this boy had no history of any sickness,” said Ahimbisibwe.

“He was with friends doing voluntary practice only [for me] to be informed that he had collapsed and when we rushed him to hospital, he could not come back to life.”

‘Friendly colleague’
 

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News of the sudden death of Amutahaire left the school community shocked. (Credit: Aloysius Byamukama)

According to the doctors' post-mortem report that was handed to the school authorities from the Mbarara Region referral hospital, Amutuhaire died of intensive cardiac arrest.

"In fact, the report reads there was no problem with the rest of the organs, but that the heart stopped working instantly," added the deputy school head.

Amutuhaire, a lanky well-built young man, was known by his fellow students and school administration as a down-to-earth, sociable and humble guy.

He was a resident of Ibadan House and one of his housemates, Julius Mbareeba of Senior Two, said they have lost a friendly colleague.

"He was such a sociable and friendly colleague to everyone, from whichever class. He would share with everybody whatever he has and was always having his house at heart,” he said.

On his part, Ahimbisibwe said they have lost one of the academic potentials and a future great scientist.

Amutuhaire, a son to Mr and Mrs Jackson Mugume of Kitega Karungu in Buhweju district, has been studying at the school right from Senior One.

By the time of his death, he was offering PMTd (Physics, Mathematics and Technical Drawing).

Details of the funeral arrangement indicated a Requiem Mass scheduled at St James Cathedral, Ruharo on Saturday at 2.00pm.

The deceased will then be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Karungu Buhweju on Sunday.

 

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