The Uganda police have launched an investigation into the suspected suicide of Hawa Nantongo, a 19-year-old student at Ntake Wampeewo Senior Secondary School in Wakiso district. The tragic incident is believed to be linked to a disagreement over her subject combination.
Hawa Nantongo was reportedly under significant pressure from her mother to pursue a subject combination of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics (BCM), despite her preference for Divinity, Economics, and Luganda (DEL). This academic conflict is suspected to have contributed to her untimely death.
Afande Luke Owoyesigire, the Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson, addressed journalists at the police headquarters in Naguru, confirming that the incident occurred over the weekend. He noted that the body is currently being examined to determine the exact cause of death.
“Hawa had informed us that her mother was forcing her to take a combination of sciences, while she was much more interested in arts,” Owoyesigire stated. “So, this pressure she confided to the school and they had meetings. We cannot declare it a suicide yet; we have to first wait for the post-mortem results.”
Reports indicate that Hawa's mother had been invited to the school several times in an attempt to reach a consensus with her daughter. However, the disagreement remained unresolved, leading to escalating stress for Hawa.
The school administration had been actively involved in trying to mediate the situation. They had arranged several meetings between Hawa and her mother, aiming to address the student's concerns and find a mutually agreeable solution. Despite these efforts, the pressure from her mother to follow a science track reportedly persisted.
The tragic news has sent shockwaves through the school and the local community. Friends, teachers, and classmates have expressed their grief and disbelief over the loss of a young life. Many have called for increased attention to the mental health and well-being of students, especially regarding academic pressures and parental expectations.
The investigation will continue as police await the post-mortem results to confirm the cause of death. In the meantime, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the pressures faced by students in the Ugandan education system and the need for more supportive and understanding approaches to academic planning and parental involvement.
As the community mourns Hawa's death, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of listening to and supporting the aspirations and well-being of young individuals as passion and ability supercedes anything else!
