What Killed St. Joseph SS Nsambya’s Kabasesera?
Sunday February 14, started as a normal day for Jennifer Kabasesera. In the morning, she went for prayers as is the routine at St. Joseph’s Girls Senior Secondary School, Nsambya. Thereafter, she prepared for the next day — but she did not make it to the following day.
By Chris Kiwawulo
Sunday February 14, started as a normal day for Jennifer Kabasesera. In the morning, she went for prayers as is the routine at St. Joseph’s Girls Senior Secondary School, Nsambya. Thereafter, she prepared for the next day — but she did not make it to the following day.
Kabasesera, a Senior Two student, who was making 15 on August 14, died on Sunday night after a stampede.
What the school says
According to Charles Byoro, the school’s director of studies, the girl got injured when she fell on the guardrails along the narrow staircases that lead to the two-storeyed classroom block facing the administration block.
Kabasesera died shortly after she had been admitted to Nsambya Hospital.
Byoro says the students who were coming from their night revision (prep), stampeded on Kabasesera following a power black-out.
Education Vision could not get comment from the students as, according to the school regulations, no student is allowed to talk to any visitor without permission from the headmistress or her deputy.
The students were reportedly standing on the verandah of the classroom watching Valentine’s Day fireworks at Nakivubo Stadium when power went off.
When power went off, a stampede ensued as they scampered and Kabasesera, with six others got injured.
However, what sparked off the stampede is still not clear and attempts to get further comments from the school authorities were futile.
When the school deputy head teacher, Godfrey Mulindwa, was contacted to comment on the incident, he said: “Go to Kabalagala Police Station. They are the ones doing the investigations.â€
The family’s reaction
Kabasesera's family members say they are dissatisfied with the explanation the school authorities are giving on Kabasesera's death. Her brother, Joseph Kyaruhinda, says the family wants a convincing version of events, not the one offered by the school.
“There is a lot of mystery surrounding the death of my sister. Probably the teachers were sending off the students to bed in rush and in the process commotion and confusion ensued,†he said.
Her uncle and caretaker, Charles Rubongoya, tasked the school to give a clear explanation of what happened to his niece. “I’m disappointed with the way the school has treated us. Not even her friends were allowed to come for the requiem mass. It looked like they were hiding something. â€
Kabasesera had reported for the first term a fortnight ago.
The hospital’s version
Dr. Martin Nsubuga, the medical director of St Francis Hospital Nsambya, does not know much about what transpired at the school. He says all he heard was that there was a stampede at the school and students trampled on each other.
He, however, clarifies that many of the students, who were affected by the stampede (over 10), were discharged that very night, adding that only two students were admitted. Apart from the two students, the rest had minor injuries.
Nsubuga could not readily ascertain the cause of Kabasesera's death, saying her body was taken to Mulago Hospital for a post-mortem. The post-mortem report says she died of traumatic asphyxia (failure to breathe.)
Kabasesera was buried on February 17 in Fort Portal.
The Police speaks out
The Police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba, says the school management informed them that power went off as students emerged from the classroom to catch a glimpse of the fireworks display that was taking place at Nakivubo Stadium.
She says at least six students and four staff members have been interrogated.
“We are still investigating the incident. We shall also get statements from the school management,†she adds.
In December 2003, shock gripped St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Nsambya, when Paula Rwomushana,18, was found dead in her bed.
Rwomushana is believed to have committed suicide following accusations that she was a lesbian. The then Senior Five student had allegedly been punished over the allegations.
Sunday February 14, started as a normal day for Jennifer Kabasesera. In the morning, she went for prayers as is the routine at St. Joseph’s Girls Senior Secondary School, Nsambya. Thereafter, she prepared for the next day — but she did not make it to the following day.
Kabasesera, a Senior Two student, who was making 15 on August 14, died on Sunday night after a stampede.
What the school says
According to Charles Byoro, the school’s director of studies, the girl got injured when she fell on the guardrails along the narrow staircases that lead to the two-storeyed classroom block facing the administration block.
Kabasesera died shortly after she had been admitted to Nsambya Hospital.
Byoro says the students who were coming from their night revision (prep), stampeded on Kabasesera following a power black-out.
Education Vision could not get comment from the students as, according to the school regulations, no student is allowed to talk to any visitor without permission from the headmistress or her deputy.
The students were reportedly standing on the verandah of the classroom watching Valentine’s Day fireworks at Nakivubo Stadium when power went off.
When power went off, a stampede ensued as they scampered and Kabasesera, with six others got injured.
However, what sparked off the stampede is still not clear and attempts to get further comments from the school authorities were futile.
When the school deputy head teacher, Godfrey Mulindwa, was contacted to comment on the incident, he said: “Go to Kabalagala Police Station. They are the ones doing the investigations.â€
The family’s reaction
Kabasesera's family members say they are dissatisfied with the explanation the school authorities are giving on Kabasesera's death. Her brother, Joseph Kyaruhinda, says the family wants a convincing version of events, not the one offered by the school.
“There is a lot of mystery surrounding the death of my sister. Probably the teachers were sending off the students to bed in rush and in the process commotion and confusion ensued,†he said.
Her uncle and caretaker, Charles Rubongoya, tasked the school to give a clear explanation of what happened to his niece. “I’m disappointed with the way the school has treated us. Not even her friends were allowed to come for the requiem mass. It looked like they were hiding something. â€
Kabasesera had reported for the first term a fortnight ago.
The hospital’s version
Dr. Martin Nsubuga, the medical director of St Francis Hospital Nsambya, does not know much about what transpired at the school. He says all he heard was that there was a stampede at the school and students trampled on each other.
He, however, clarifies that many of the students, who were affected by the stampede (over 10), were discharged that very night, adding that only two students were admitted. Apart from the two students, the rest had minor injuries.
Nsubuga could not readily ascertain the cause of Kabasesera's death, saying her body was taken to Mulago Hospital for a post-mortem. The post-mortem report says she died of traumatic asphyxia (failure to breathe.)
Kabasesera was buried on February 17 in Fort Portal.
The Police speaks out
The Police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba, says the school management informed them that power went off as students emerged from the classroom to catch a glimpse of the fireworks display that was taking place at Nakivubo Stadium.
She says at least six students and four staff members have been interrogated.
“We are still investigating the incident. We shall also get statements from the school management,†she adds.
In December 2003, shock gripped St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Nsambya, when Paula Rwomushana,18, was found dead in her bed.
Rwomushana is believed to have committed suicide following accusations that she was a lesbian. The then Senior Five student had allegedly been punished over the allegations.