Nakivale : a child found dead after going missing on the way home from school

SOS Médias Burundi

Nakivale (Uganda), September 24, 2026—A child of Rwandan origin, aged approximately six years, was found dead in a valley in Kabazana village, within the Nakivale refugee camp. The child had been missing since last Thursday while returning from school.

According to initial information gathered on-site, the child attended Bright School in the Isangano zone. He disappeared while on his way home. Local sources indicate that he was allegedly abducted by a motorcyclist.

After several days of searching, his body was found on Tuesday in a valley in Kabazana. The child was bound and had severe neck injuries. Investigators have yet to determine the exact circumstances of his death.

Renewed concern for families

This tragedy has reignited anxiety among families in the Nakivale camp, where abductions are frequently reported.

According to local reports, at least five people have been reported abducted under similar circumstances in recent months. The recurrence of these incidents is a particular source of worry for parents, some of whom now fear for their children’s safety during their commute to and from school.

Families fear their children could be targeted on their way to school or while returning home.

Police launch an investigation

The police have opened an investigation to identify and locate the motorcyclist suspected of abducting the child. Reports indicate that the suspect fled the scene after the incident.

Camp authorities state they are monitoring the case closely and have assured that those involved will face prosecution if apprehended. Local authorities are also calling on village leaders to step up surveillance and report any suspicious movement in various parts of the camp, particularly involving strangers or recent arrivals.

The administration and police are seeking to reassure families, as this latest tragedy heightens the sense of insecurity among some parents.

The Nakivale camp hosts over 150,000 refugees—including more than 35,000 Burundians—and is one of the major refugee settlements in Uganda and across the African continent. According to local authorities, the steady influx of new refugees makes monitoring the movement of people within the camp even more difficult.