Another Makerere University Student Dies From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Hostel Room

A Makerere University student has lost her life after carbon monoxide poisoning from a stove that was left on inside her room in Kampala.

The deceased has been identified as Amongin Francisca, a second-year student at the College of Education and External Studies, where she was pursuing a Bachelor of Science with Education, majoring in Mathematics and Economics. Her registration number was 24/U/22669.

The Students’ Guild released a statement on May 11, 2026, revealing that a postmortem examination found that Amongin died from suffocation caused by oxygen deprivation and inhalation of harmful gases. Guild Minister for Students’ Affairs Owen Nasasira said investigators linked the death to carbon monoxide poisoning after a stove was left running inside a poorly ventilated room with the windows and doors shut.

The university had first announced her passing on May 9, 2026, before the postmortem results were made public two days later.

Amongin was residing near Full Gospel Church in Kampala and originally hailed from Ibuje in Apac District.

Her death has renewed growing concern over the safety conditions in student hostels and rental rooms across Kampala, where a large number of students cook inside small, confined spaces that have little to no proper ventilation.

Carbon monoxide is a particularly dangerous gas as it is completely odourless and colourless, making it impossible to detect without specialised equipment. Exposure to the gas can lead to dizziness, weakness, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, death, particularly in enclosed spaces.

Safety experts continue to warn against the use of charcoal stoves, gas cookers, and any open flames inside sealed rooms. They strongly advise residents to keep windows open while cooking and to never go to sleep with a stove still burning.

Amongin will be laid to rest on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 10am in Aninolal Village, Inomo Sub-county, Kwania District.

Makerere University has called on students, staff, and the wider university community to keep her family, friends, and classmates in their prayers during this difficult period of mourning.