In western Uganda’s Bushenyi District, police are investigating the apparent suicide of John Lukoma, a 20-year-old attending Kampala International University’s Ishaka campus. On the morning of May 9, 2025, at around 06:40 am, a campus security officer, Patrick Muganga, discovered Lukoma’s body hanging from a tree near the male students’ hostel facilities during his routine rounds.
Greater Bushenyi Regional Police Spokesperson Apollo Tayebwa announced that a suspected suicide investigation has been launched at the central police station in Bushenyi. The body was transferred to the Kampala International University Teaching Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination, with results to be shared publicly once available. Tayebwa emphasized the importance of seeking support, urging young people to turn to friends or professional counseling services when facing mental health struggles to prevent such tragedies.
Lukoma’s 21-year-old roommate, Patrick Okoume, shared that Lukoma had been grappling with financial pressures, including challenges paying for tuition and daily expenses, which may have contributed to his state of mind. Although the university has not issued an official response, a letter thought to be from the administration encouraged students to seek counseling and expressed solidarity with the campus community during this difficult time.
The 2024 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey highlighted a troubling mental health trend among the country’s youth, noting 272,271 instances of suicidal thoughts. Among these, 36,615 cases involved individuals aged 15-21, while 34,697 were reported among those aged 20-24.