Ngai school student dies in stampede after battery explosion

27 April 2025, 7:38 am

By Eman Yonah Oruk

A tragic incident occurred at Ngai Senior Secondary School in Oyam district on 25th April 2025, claiming the life of Senior One student Immaculate Ayo.

The event unfolded when a phone battery exploded inside one of the study rooms, triggering a stampede.

Eyewitnesses reported that an unidentified student had brought a phone battery into the study room to charge it.

The battery suddenly exploded, causing widespread panic among the students. Some fainted, while others attempted to escape through a narrow door, leading to the stampede.

Brenda Acheng, a student at the school, recounted the harrowing experience: “Some students fainted, while others struggled to escape through the narrow door.”

District Police Commander SP Job Mutegeki confirmed the incident and stated that investigations were underway to determine the cause of the explosion. “Preliminary reports indicate that an unidentified student had been charging the phone directly,” he said.

The headteacher, Jannani Okot, described the incident as deeply unfortunate and paid tribute to the deceased student, who was recognised for her brilliance and exemplary discipline. “Her loss is a tragedy for the school and the community,” Okot said.

Sam Openy, Inspector of Schools in Oyam district, attributed the tragedy to laxity in the school administration, pointing out their failure to prevent students from bringing unauthorised items onto the premises.

Thirty students who sustained injuries were transported to health facilities across the district for treatment.

The school’s management and security personnel convened a meeting to devise strategies to prevent such incidents in the future.