By Spy Uganda
The recent drowning of 21-year-old Kevin Nsamba, a Senior Six student at Seeta High School’s Mbalala campus, has once again cast a harsh spotlight on the troubling safety gaps and institutional silence that continue to plague Uganda’s private school system—even in its most elite institutions.
Kevin’s body was recovered from the school’s swimming pool on Monday, August 4, more than 24 hours after he had reportedly jumped into the deep end following a football match. What followed was a delayed response, inconsistent communication, and a haunting silence from the school administration—one that has only deepened fears among parents and education stakeholders.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed that the incident was not reported to authorities until midday Monday, raising concerns about how long the school took to notice Kevin’s absence and alert the relevant authorities. “A case of suspected drowning was registered, and we have since arrested the pool trainer for questioning as we review CCTV footage,” he said.
What should have been an ordinary school day ended in chaos and mourning, but Kevin’s case is far from isolated.
This is the third student-related death at a Seeta High School campus within just a few months. In May, 16-year-old Elishama Ssesaazi, a Senior Three student at the school’s main campus, died in what police described as a suspected suicide. That investigation remains open and inconclusive. Around the same period, a teacher at the Mbalala campus—Ivan Oloya—was killed by unknown assailants, further feeding into a climate of unease and fear.
Pattern of Negligence or Institutional Failure?
Parents are no longer remaining silent.
“This is not just a freak accident. It’s a trend. And it’s unacceptable,” said one concerned parent, who asked not to be named. “Schools are entrusted with our children’s lives. We need to see proactive protection, not just reactive apologies.”
The school’s delayed response and lack of immediate public communication have drawn strong criticism. Crisis response experts argue that the administration’s approach—marked by hours of silence—only fuels speculation, erodes trust, and potentially hinders effective emergency response.
Critics are also pointing fingers at the school’s ownership structure. Seeta High Schools are owned by Uganda’s State Minister for Higher Education, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo. Many are now raising concerns over whether his political position may influence the depth or independence of investigations.
“The lines between state oversight and personal interest must not be blurred,” said a local education rights advocate. “We need transparent, impartial investigations—regardless of who owns the school.”
According to the Uganda Police’s 2023 Annual Crime Report, over 500 cases of drowning were recorded last year alone. Children and young people remain particularly vulnerable, especially in environments with swimming facilities that are not closely monitored or professionally managed.
The fact that Kevin Nsamba’s drowning occurred during a supervised training session raises further questions: Was the lifeguard certified? Was there an adequate student-to-supervisor ratio? Were safety protocols followed? These are just some of the questions both police and the public are demanding answers to.
As investigations continue, the tragedy at Seeta High School Mbalala has galvanized urgent calls for reform:
- Mandatory safety audits across all private schools with swimming pools and other risk-prone facilities.
- Clear crisis communication guidelines for schools to ensure swift and transparent reporting.
- Independent education safety oversight bodies to monitor private institutions, especially those owned by public officials.
For the community in Mukono, this isn’t just a case of one school failing one student—it’s a wake-up call for the nation.
“Education should not come with a death sentence,” said a visibly shaken parent at a recent community gathering. “We send our children to school to build a future—not bury them before they reach it.”
