Teenage Girl Electrocuted While Collecting Firewood in Kabale

Kabale: A 13-year-old girl has died after being electrocuted by a low-hanging power line in Kihumuro Village, Katookye Parish, Kyanamira Sub-county, Kabale District.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at around midday.

The deceased, identified as Comfort Ainembabazi, was a Primary Six pupil at Kengoma Primary School and a resident of Rwesanziro Village in the same parish. According to preliminary police reports, Ainembabazi had been sent by her mother, Glorious Kyakunzire, to collect firewood. She was accompanied by a group of friends to a nearby forest.

While gathering firewood, the children encountered electric wires hanging dangerously low reportedly less than two meters above the ground. Ainembabazi accidentally came into contact with the wires and was electrocuted on the spot. Efforts by her friends to rescue her were unsuccessful, and they rushed home to inform her brother, Barnet Turyahebwa, who then alerted a neighbor, Pius Kakuru.

Pius, a 38-year-old driver and resident of Rwesanziro Village, rushed to the scene and later informed police.

Kigezi region police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate confirmed the incident, stating that a case of electrocution was registered at Kabale Central Police Station. Officers visited and documented the scene, and the body was taken to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem. Statements have been recorded from witnesses as investigations continue.

Police have urged residents to report any sagging power lines or faulty installations to the relevant authorities to prevent similar tragedies.