By Aron Okotel
Police in Mbale City are investigating the death of a 19-year-old Senior Five student who was electrocuted while ironing her clothes inside a rented room in Namabasa Zone, Industrial city Division.
The deceased has been identified as Evaline Adongo, an Etesot by tribe and a student at Gill Sherlock Memorial Secondary School. At the time of the incident, Adongo was co-renting a room with fellow students at a residential compound in Namabasa Zone 3A, Doko Ward, Industrial Division.
According to Elgon Regional Police Spokesperson, SP Rogers Taitika, the tragic incident occurred on June 18, 2026, at around 5:45 AM.
The regional police have launched a comprehensive investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic loss of life, Taitika stated. Preliminary findings indicate that the deceased was ironing her clothes in the sitting room of her rented apartment when she suffered an instant, fatal electric shock.
The matter was officially reported to the police by Bonefesi Lukolele, a resident of the area. Following the report, a team of detectives from the Homicide department and Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) rushed to the area to examine the premises, police officers noted fresh, visible burn scars on Adongo’s left hand, confirming it as the primary point of electrical contact.
Police also discovered that the house had an illegal electricity connection, which is suspected to have contributed to the fatal incident.
Police have since arrested the landlord, Pastor Wabutwa Hassan to assist with investigations into the circumstances surrounding the illegal power connection and the student’s death.
Taitika urged landlords and tenants to ensure that all electrical installations are carried out by qualified personnel and inspected regularly to prevent similar tragedies.