While university authorities declined to comment directly, a letter purportedly from the administration circulated, appealing to students to utilize counseling services.
The Police in Bushenyi district are investigating circumstances under which a 20-year-old university student is said to have claimed his life by hanging.
Greater Bushenyi Regional Police spokesperson, Apollo Tayebwa has identified the university student as John Lukoma of Kampala International University (KIU) Ishaka branch.
According to Tayebwa, the body of Lukoma was on Saturday morning discovered by the university security guard, Patrick Muganga at around 6:40am hanging on an avocado tree near the male students’ hostel.
“On May 9, 2025, Patrick Muganga, a security guard at Kampala International University, reported to us that around 06:40am while on patrol, he found the body of the deceased hanging on an avocado tree next to the toilets of male students’ hostels,” Tayebwa told journalists.
He added that a case of suspected suicide had been opened at Bushenyi Central Police Station. “The body was retrieved from the scene and taken to Kampala International University Teaching Hospital mortuary for postmortem, and we shall be informing the public about the results,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa urged the public, particularly young people, to avoid death by suicide as a response to depression and stress, advising those in distress to seek help from friends and counseling centers.
Lukoma’s roommate, Patrick Okoume, 21, said the deceased had been struggling with tuition fees and upkeep.
“He has been disturbed with issues paying tuition and upkeep. He remained worried whether he will complete his course, this could be partly the reason he died by suicide,” Okoume said.
While university authorities declined to comment directly, a letter purportedly from the administration circulated, appealing to students to utilize counseling services.
“Whether you knew Lukoma John personally or not, this news has affected each one of you because this is your fellow student. I understand most of you are confused, sad, and in fear, please know that you are not alone, we are here to support,” the letter read.
The 2024 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) indicated a significant mental health crisis among young Ugandans, with 272,271 reported cases of suicidal thoughts, including 36,615 among those aged 15-21 and 34,697 among young adults aged 20-24.
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