Mbale City is reeling after the tragic death of 15-year-old Sumaya Binti Edrisa, a Senior Two student at Nakaloke Secondary School. Found lifeless in a local lodge, her death has ignited fierce debate over child protection and hospitality industry regulations.
Initially reported as a 24-year-old, Sumaya was later identified by her grieving parents. She had allegedly received a phone call on Sunday morning from a man believed to be her fiancé, inviting her to the lodge.
What happened behind closed doors remains unclear, but soon after their meeting, she was discovered dead.
The case raises urgent questions: How did a minor gain entry to a lodge unchecked? Why are hotels failing to enforce strict guest registration?
Uganda’s laws, including the Children Act and the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, are designed to protect minors, yet enforcement remains alarmingly weak.
Following the incident, Elgon Region Police spokesperson Rogers Taitika confirmed the arrest of the lodge’s receptionist and manager for negligence and failure to keep proper records. Hotels are required to register all guests, not just for security purposes but to prevent child abuse and exploitation.
Authorities are now summoning lodge and guesthouse owners for a compliance review. While municipal officials regulate these businesses, enforcement often takes a backseat to revenue collection.
Mbale City Public Relations Officer James Kutosi acknowledged this failure, admitting that safety concerns have largely been left to security agencies.
Beyond legal shortcomings, the tragedy highlights a growing crisis—vulnerable schoolgirls, particularly from low-income backgrounds, being lured by older men into exploitative situations.
Robert Wandwasi, Mbale’s focal person for the Uganda AIDS Commission, warns that hostel-dwelling secondary school girls are at especially high risk.
Civil society activist Joyce Matuka Kidulu argues that the problem is rooted in societal indifference to child protection. She calls for stricter lodge regulations, harsher penalties for violations, and community-driven education programs for parents and children.
The African philosophy of Ubuntu reminds us that a tragedy affecting one person ultimately affects the whole community.
Today, it is an unknown girl, but tomorrow, it could be a sister, a daughter, or a friend. Protecting children is not just the duty of parents or government—it is a collective responsibility.
