A family in Namayingo district is demanding answers following the death of their son, Joel Mukaga Tusiimire, a P.4 pupil who died after allegedly being pushed into boiling beans at Talent Nursery and Primary School, Namayingo.
Joel, who had been a boarding pupil at the school since P.1, was rushed to Victory Clinic on June 17, 2025, after school authorities reported he had been in an “accident.” The boy’s relative who visited the scene, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they found their son’s body severely burned upon arrival at school.
”We found something like a piece of pork, but the head resembled our boy, and indeed it was my son,” the relative said.
According to the family, Joel told them before he died that he had been pushed into the boiler by a P.5 pupil, identified as Edison Mukiisa. The incident allegedly occurred during a dispute over porridge.
The family immediately sought to transfer their son for better medical care. He was first taken to Kirudu Hospital in Kampala and then admitted to Mulago National Referral Hospital on June 19. Doctors at Mulago informed the family that Joel had suffered 70% burns. He was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he spent seven days before passing away.
Joel was laid to rest on June 27, 2025. The family states they have received no official explanation for their son’s death and are relying solely on the account he provided before his last breath. They are now seeking justice for their son.
School administration officials were not available for comments at the time of publication. Local authorities have not issued a statement regarding the incident as well.
The school director, when contacted, said he did not have the right information on the case. He promised in vain to share with me contacts of the school lawyer.
