Police in Mbarara are investigating a disturbing incident in which a 16-year-old secondary school student died in a security room in Kakoba after she was allegedly taken there by a teacher under the pretext of going to school.
The incident occurred on September 16, 2026, in Kakoba Central Cell, Kakoba Ward, Mbarara City, and has been registered at Mbarara Central Police Station under reference CPS Mbarara DEF:040/2026.
The deceased is a Senior Two student at Rwampara Progressive School and from Kasyoro Village, Nyabikungu Parish, Rugando Sub-county in Rwampara District.
Police identified the alleged suspect as Atuhereze Seine, 30, a teacher at Rwampara Comprehensive School, where the girl is also reported to have been studying.
According to the police scene report, Atuhereze allegedly picked up the girl from her home at about 9:30am on September 16, claiming that he was taking her to Rwampara Comprehensive School.
However, police say he allegedly diverted to Kakoba Central Cell in Mbarara City, where he obtained access to a small security room, or sentry box, belonging to an Askari guarding rental houses owned by a man identified as Mugumya Moses.
The Askari, identified as Singwire, reportedly left the two inside the room at around 10am, believing they were going to have sexual intercourse.
When he returned at around 4pm, police say, he found the room still locked from the inside.
Attempts to call those inside reportedly yielded no response, prompting the Askari and others to break the padlock to gain access.
Inside, they reportedly found the girl dead on a mattress while Atuhereze was lying beside her unconscious.
The teacher was reportedly removed from the room and taken out to get fresh air before the matter was reported to police at Nyakaizi Police Post.
Police officers were subsequently dispatched to the scene.
Girl found in school uniform
The police scene report says the girl was found lying on her back, with her legs spread apart and without underwear.
She was reportedly still dressed in a green T-shirt and blue skirt, identified as her school uniform.
Police also found a box containing school requirements, including toilet paper and sanitary pads, as well as other personal belongings she had apparently carried with her.
The mattress was reportedly found wet, which investigators recorded as an indication of sexual activity.
Police further reported that Atuhereze was found unconscious, with foam coming from his mouth.
Charcoal stove raises suffocation concerns
A major focus of the investigation is the condition of the room where the pair were found.
According to the police report, the sentry box had no ventilation, while a charcoal stove was burning inside the room with water boiling on it near the door.
Police said the combination of the poorly ventilated room and the burning charcoal stove could have resulted in suffocation.
The report’s preliminary observation states that the girl appeared to have died from suffocation, particularly because the teacher was also found unconscious inside the same room.
However, the definitive cause of death is expected to be established through a postmortem examination.
The girl’s body was taken to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem, while the unconscious teacher was rushed to the same hospital for medical attention.
Police also issued PF48A and PF48B forms as part of the investigation.
Teacher faces aggravated defilement allegations
Beyond the circumstances surrounding the death, police are investigating allegations that the teacher sexually abused the girl.
Because the girl was 16 years old, police have classified the case as aggravated defilement, with the report stating that she was allegedly defiled by the suspect while underage.
The fact that the suspect was reportedly her teacher has added another serious dimension to the investigation.
Police have documented the scene, recorded statements from witnesses and registered the case as inquiries continue.
A Bajaj motorcycle, registration number UEE 201E, was also found parked at the premises where the incident occurred.
The circumstances surrounding how the girl ended up in the room, what happened during the hours the pair remained inside, and the precise cause of her death remain subject to police investigation and the postmortem findings.
Police have not yet announced the final cause of death or the outcome of the medical examination of the suspect.
