Police in Kitagwenda District have launched investigations into the killing of an 18-year-old student from Kitagwenda High School, an incident that has triggered anger, destruction of property, and arrests in the surrounding community.
The deceased, identified as Onesmus Alinda, a Senior Four student at the school, reportedly went missing on Saturday night after allegedly leaving the school premises.
According to preliminary reports, he is said to have been caught stealing sugarcane belonging to a neighbour of the school shortly before his disappearance.
His body was later discovered in a nearby sugarcane plantation, bearing multiple cut wounds.
The nature of the injuries has raised concerns, with police treating the case as a violent killing as investigations continue.
News of the student’s death spread quickly within the school community, sparking outrage among fellow students. In the aftermath, some students are reported to have engaged in retaliatory actions targeting property in the surrounding area.
During the unrest, several banana and coffee plantations were destroyed. Two houses located near the scene were also set ablaze before security officers moved in to restore order.
Police have since arrested two individuals to assist with ongoing investigations into both the murder and the subsequent destruction of property.
Authorities say efforts are underway to establish the circumstances that led to the student’s death and identify all those involved.
Security has been heightened in the area to prevent further escalation, while school administrators have appealed for calm as the institution deals with the shock of losing one of its students under violent circumstances.
Residents have expressed concern over rising tensions between the school and the neighbouring community, urging authorities to handle the matter carefully to avoid further violence.