The State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Ateenyi, has expressed concern over the death of a 17-year-old student from Standard High School Ndejje Campus, who drowned at the Ndejje Main Campus University swimming pool on Easter Monday.
The incident, which has triggered public concern and renewed scrutiny over student safety in learning institutions, is now under active investigation by security agencies.
In a statement on the development, the minister said authorities are working closely with investigative teams to establish the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
“Our office, in partnership with the Director of Investigation Operations for Wealth Creation, Mr. Egesa, alongside the Criminal Investigation Department, has been following up on the tragic death of a 17-year-old student of Standard High School Ndejje Campus at the Ndejje Main Campus University swimming pool on Easter Monday,” Balaam said.
He confirmed that the student, identified as a young man from Kijura, lost his life in what has been described as a preventable and deeply unfortunate incident.
The minister further noted that preliminary findings point to a drowning incident, with postmortem results already indicating the cause of death.
However, he emphasized that investigations are still ongoing to determine whether there was any negligence or security lapse.
“I would like to thank Mr. Egesa for taking the time to visit the family and for ensuring that investigations are fully completed in a thorough and transparent manner,” he added.
The ministry says it is working alongside the Criminal Investigation Department to ensure accountability and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Officials have also engaged the affected family as part of ongoing support and information-sharing efforts.
The tragedy has reignited debate over supervision standards in school-linked recreational facilities, particularly swimming pools accessed by minors.
Authorities are now expected to review safety protocols across educational institutions and adjacent facilities.
Balaam further stressed the need for enhanced child protection systems, warning that lapses in supervision continue to expose young people to avoidable risks.
“We should do more to protect our young people, especially the most vulnerable,” he said.