news 18 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Tragic Death of 12-Year-Old Girl in Rukungiri School Wall Collapse
A 12-year-old Primary Three pupil at Rwerere Seventh-day Adventist Primary School in Rukungiri District died when a classroom wall collapsed due to a strong windstorm, injuring four other children. The victims were on the verandah during lunch break at the time of the incident. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/12-year-old-pupil-dies-as-school-wall-collapses-in-rukungiri-5427806
A heartbreaking incident unfolded at Rwerere Seventh-day Adventist Primary School in Rwerere Town Council, Rukungiri District, where 12-year-old Princess Ashaba, a Primary Three pupil, lost her life after part of a classroom wall collapsed amid a fierce windstorm.
The tragedy struck on April 16, 2026, around 1:30pm during lunch break. Five pupils were on the verandah when the structurally weak wall gave way, crushing them.
Princess Ashaba was pronounced dead en route to medical care. The four injured pupils—Emmanuel Abisnguza (8), Treasure Azahura (7), Mercy Ainembabazi (10), and Onesmus Mugarura (8)—received initial treatment at a private clinic before being transferred to Kambuga Hospital in Kanungu District.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate confirmed the details, noting that police documented the scene and opened a death inquiry. The deceased’s body was taken to Buyanja Health Centre IV for postmortem.
Preliminary investigations attribute the collapse to structural weaknesses in the building. ASP Maate urged school administrators in the region to enhance infrastructure safety measures to avoid future incidents.