MUHANGA – A 15 year-old street child identified as Mutabazi aka Pilati was last Tuesday morning found dead at Mbonyumutwa stadium, in Gitarama town, police has confirmed.

Mutabazi who is from Nyange sector, in Karongi, is suspected to have died on September 21 during the night.
Police transported his body to Kabgayi Hospital for a post-mortem, the results of which are yet to be out.

Police have further said other investigations are ongoing to find out the cause of his death.

There are suspicions Mutabazi could have been killed by other street children.

There are allegations that the deceased was under the influence of drugs and was seen being chased by some boys who wanted his money.

"He fell off the stadium stairs as he tried to escape from those who were after him,” another street child who gave his name only as Fils, said.

Street children in Muhanga have previously complained that a local NGO, Bureau Social de Gitarama (BSG), which had committed to aid them, has pulled out.

Most of them fend for themselves on the streets with no access to education.

The NGO had until recently offered to accommodate the children while pledging other means of support. BSG has never given the reasons for its pulling out.

The number of street children has continuously increased in the district most of them below the age of 15 – an issue that has raised concerns from residents.

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