Mystery Surrounds Student’s Death in Kagera

Discrepancies Emerge Over Student’s Death as Police and Mother Provide Conflicting Accounts

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Muleba, Tanzania – A tragic incident involving the death of a third-grade student at Tumusime Primary School in Kagera has sparked differing narratives between law enforcement authorities and the child's mother. The student, Janeth Mbegaya, aged seven, was laid to rest on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, as investigations into the circumstances of her passing continue.

Official Police Findings

Kagera Regional Police Commander Brasius Chatanda confirmed that preliminary investigations conducted in collaboration with medical experts from Rubya Designated Hospital have ruled out sexual assault as a cause of death.

“Our initial findings indicate that the student died due to severe dehydration, blood loss, and prolonged lack of food intake. Contrary to speculations within the community, our forensic examination has found no evidence of sexual abuse,” said Chatanda.

He also addressed rumors suggesting that the child might have been subjected to sexual violence, stating, “There was initial speculation among locals that she might have been raped or sodomized. However, medical professionals have dismissed these claims. One concerning detail that surfaced during the investigation is that the deceased and another child had a habit of referring to each other as ‘husband and wife.’”

The police commander assured that further investigations would continue to determine any other potential factors that may have contributed to the student’s demise.

Mother’s Account Contradicts Police Reports

While police findings emphasize malnutrition and dehydration as key factors, the student’s mother, Zaifath Fadhili, has provided a heart-wrenching account of events leading up to her daughter’s death.

She recounted that she first received news of her daughter's illness on Friday, March 6, 2025, from the school principal, who informed her that Janeth was seriously ill and unable to move.

“The school authorities told me they had taken her to Kaigara Health Center, where she was diagnosed with malaria and given medication on Thursday, March 5, 2025,” she narrated.

However, she was later informed on the same Friday that her daughter had been transferred to Rubya Designated Hospital after her condition worsened.

Struggles at the Hospital

On Saturday, March 7, 2025, upon arriving at the hospital, the distraught mother found her daughter unconscious. According to medical personnel, they were struggling to locate a viable vein for intravenous treatment.

“They told me they were searching for a vein to administer medication. Later, they managed to find one on her head and attached three IV drips,” she explained.

Despite efforts to stabilize her, the child remained unresponsive, frequently crying out. By Saturday night, doctors administered malaria treatment via injection. The following day, a doctor inquired whether she had eaten, to which her mother responded that she had not.

“They attempted to feed her through a feeding tube, but her body rejected the food, expelling dark substances that left the doctors baffled,” she recalled.

A Heartbreaking Loss

On March 10, 2025, Zaifath left the hospital briefly to attend to her infant child at home. Upon returning, she was met with the devastating news that Janeth had passed away while undergoing tube feeding.

“What pains me most is that I never got to speak to her before she died to understand what truly happened to her,” she lamented.

Her anguish deepened when a doctor initially refused to release the body, citing indications from a preliminary autopsy that suggested signs of sexual assault. This statement stands in contrast to the police's official position that ruled out any such findings.

Despite these conflicting reports, the child’s body was eventually released to the family, and she was laid to rest in Muleba on March 12, 2025.

Ongoing Investigations

Authorities have assured that further forensic examinations will be conducted to clarify the exact circumstances leading to Janeth’s tragic death. The case has left the local community in shock, with lingering questions over the handling of the incident by both the school and medical personnel. As investigations continue, the family seeks closure and justice for their beloved child.