Ugandan police say they will not release CCTV footage linked to the death of a student who drowned at Seeta High School, citing an active investigation.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday 3 August, claimed the life of 21-year-old Senior Six student Kevin Nsamba. According to a statement from the school, Nsamba—who could not swim—entered the pool with other students after a football match without permission.
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School officials say they only realised he was missing during an evening roll call. His body was later recovered from the swimming pool. Police have since arrested the school’s lifeguard, Kato Diriisa, who is being questioned over the incident.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed investigators had retrieved CCTV recordings but said the contents could not yet be made public. He added that inquiries were ongoing into the school’s safety protocols and the management of its swimming facilities.
“We’ve charged the pool attendant, who was responsible for student safety, and we are awaiting guidance from the Director of Public Prosecutions,” Mr Rusoke told reporters. “Other issues still need to be examined, especially the safety measures in place at the school.”
Mr Rusoke also urged all schools, hotels and venues with swimming pools to comply with safety standards, warning that many lack qualified lifeguards or proper safety infrastructure. “We’ve observed that some lifeguards focus more on training activities than on safeguarding swimmers,” he said. “Others are unqualified, which poses serious risks.”
The drowning comes just months after another student death at Seeta High School raised questions about safety and transparency. In that case, 16-year-old Elishama Ssesaazi, a Senior Three student, was found dead in a dormitory. Police initially reported it as a suicide, but the circumstances sparked public concern after the school reportedly changed its statement.
Family members disputed the suicide account, citing unanswered questions about how the incident occurred and expressing frustration over being denied access to the body before it was taken by police. The investigation into Ssesaazi’s death remains unresolved.
Seeta High School, which is owned by State Minister for Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo, has faced growing scrutiny over student welfare following the two deaths.
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