Seven-year-old boy drowns after being sent to guard rice field in Kamonyi

By The Inspirer.

A seven-year-old boy has died after falling into a water-filled pit left behind by sand miners while guarding a rice field in Kamonyi District.

The incident occurred on October 13, 2026, in Karehe Village, Sheli Cell, Rugarika Sector.

The boy, identified as Ukwishatse, had been sent by his parents to guard the rice field after school. He reportedly fell into the pit, which had been left open after sand extraction.

His parents waited for him to return home, but when he had not arrived by 8 p.m., they went out to look for him. During the search, they found his body in the water-filled pit.

Nkurunziza Jean de Dieu, the Executive Secretary of Rugarika Sector, confirmed the incident and expressed concern that a child so young had been sent to guard a rice field and remained missing until late in the evening without his parents knowing where he was.

“We urge parents and guardians to take proper care of children and know where they are going to protect them from accidents and other forms of abuse,” he said.

Nkurunziza also warned against assigning young children tasks such as guarding rice fields, saying such activities could expose them to serious danger.

He called on residents whose farms or plots have been excavated for sand to fill the resulting pits, particularly as the rainy season approaches, to prevent accidents that could claim lives.

The boy’s body was taken to Remera Rukoma Hospital for examination

Source: Igihe.