Zombo School speaks out on the death of P.3 pupil

Full report

The administration of Oturgang Boys Primary School in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District, has issued a statement to dispel rumors circulating about the death of a Primary Three pupil.

The deceased, Jonathan Rwothongeo, died at Goli Health Center IV after being rushed there in the early hours of Thursday.

Mr. Susu Alex, Head Teacher of Oturgang Boys Primary School, said the pupil had gone to watch a football match between Oturgang Boys and Mungu Lower on Wednesday, adding that no violence was reported during the event.

“There is a report that the child told his friends who later reported to his mother , that some pupils from another primary school slapped him after he laughed at a pupil who was knocked down,” Susu said.

He added “After the incident, the child watched the ongoing football games the whole day and went back home. After that, he fell ill due to too much coldness. He was taken to Goli Health Center IV where he died.”

According to the head teacher, the school administration was informed of the pupil’s death by fellow learners.

The school subsequently dispatched a team of staff to visit the bereaved family in Paidha Town Council.

The school noted that the deceased was a sickler who had been suffering from sickle cell disease.

The statement directly addresses rumors alleging that the pupil was severely beaten at the former Paidha Primary Teachers College during the ongoing primary schools’ ball games competition in Paidha Town Council.

Charles Kasamba, Chairperson of the Paidha Town Council Primary Schools Games and Sports Association, said in an interview that no case of violence was reported on Wednesday, July 28.

“We even heard about the death of the learner from the RDC Zombo,” Kasamba said.

He added that a minimal incident of violence was recorded on Thursday, which the association is investigating to prevent recurrence.

The family members is yet to comment on the death of their beloved as attempts to reach them was unsuccessful.

The deceased, Jonathan Rwothongeo, will be laid to rest on Saturday, 1 August 2026, at his ancestral home in Paidha Town Council.