By Elijah Khisa
A Senior Five science student at Namilyango College, Kigambokye Ephraim Mande, has died following a suspected diabetes-related attack after reportedly collapsing in the washroom at his family home in Entebbe.
Kigambokye, who was reportedly living with diabetes, collapsed shortly after having breakfast with his parents, Pastor Mande and Sophie Mande, at their home in Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso District.
According to preliminary information from the college administration, Kigambokye had been picked up from school by his parents on October 11, 2026, after he complained of feeling unwell and was taken for medical treatment.
The college Deputy Headteacher in charge of Administration, Denis Kakuru, said Kigambokye was admitted to C-Care Hospital for one week before being discharged on October 20, 2026, following an improvement in his condition.
However, the student reportedly collapsed shortly after breakfast when he went to the washroom.
His parents are said to have heard a loud bang from the washroom, prompting them to break open the door, only to find their son unconscious on the tiled floor.
He was rushed back to the hospital, where medical personnel pronounced him dead on arrival.
The college administration, students and family members later held a joint requiem mass on Tuesday to honour the deceased.
His body was taken to the family home in Entebbe ahead of burial scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the family’s ancestral home in Kasanje, Mpigi District.
Kigambokye joined Namilyango College in 2022 as a Senior One student and had progressed to Senior Five, where he was pursuing Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Information and Communication Technology (PCM/ICT).
Kakuru said the college was aware of Kigambokye’s medical condition and had released him twice for treatment since he joined the institution.
The latest release, however, was the third time the school had allowed him to leave for medical attention, but he never returned.
At the time of his death, Kigambokye was serving as the college Senior Captain for Health under the current prefecture term.
He was described by the administration as an academically gifted student, often referred to as an “academic giant,” who was humble, disciplined and always willing to serve others.
According to Kakuru, Kigambokye had performed exceptionally well in his Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations and continued to demonstrate strong academic performance during the previous two terms.
The college administration said it had high hopes for the student, who had reportedly aspired to become a medical engineer and contribute to the development of his country.
“He was a very bright student who was always ready to serve those in need of any college service,” Kakuru said.
The administration expressed sadness over his untimely death, saying the institution had lost a promising young man whose future had been filled with great expectations.
It also extended its condolences to the bereaved family and the entire country, wishing the deceased eternal rest.
Kigambokye’s fellow students described him as a bright, disciplined and responsible student who maintained good relationships with his colleagues and the college leadership.
They said he was committed to supporting fellow students who needed assistance from the school administration and would be greatly missed by the college community.
His death has left students and staff mourning the loss of a young man who had demonstrated both academic excellence and a strong commitment to service.
The Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, said Entebbe Police had not been notified about the incident because the student died at a hospital.
Kigambokye’s parents had not commented on the death by the time of publication, as they were making final arrangements for his burial in Kasanje, Mpigi District.
