Mbale Police Investigate Teen Student's Suspected Suicide

Mbale City authorities are currently investigating the suspected suicide of Catherine Nelima, a 16-year-old student at Mbale High School. Her body was found at her family home in the Industrial Division on Wednesday, June 9, 2026.

According to Elgon Region Police spokesperson SP Rogers Taitika, preliminary findings suggest the incident occurred during the day while the teenager was home alone. The student’s mother, Jennifer Kanyunyuzi, reportedly returned from work around 5:00 pm to find her other children at a neighbor’s house before discovering Nelima, prompting an alert to the authorities.

Police have registered the case as a sudden death and dispatched their Homicide Unit and Scene of Crime team to the location to gather evidence and commence their investigation. The body has been transported to Mbale City Mortuary for a post-mortem examination to determine the precise cause of death.

SP Taitika stressed the importance of vigilance regarding the mental health and emotional well-being of children and adolescents. He urged parents, guardians, and schools to closely monitor the emotional state of young people and encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward to Mbale Central Police Station.

The tragic event has sent shockwaves through the local community and the school, as investigators work to understand the factors that may have contributed to the student’s death. The 2025 Uganda Police Crime Report highlighted that suicide cases are often linked to a combination of psychological, social, and environmental factors, including mental illness, trauma, and extreme stress. In 2025, 258 suicide cases were reported nationwide, with 11 recorded in the Elgon Region.

Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are appealing for public assistance. This report is based on information from the Daily Monitor.