A Senior Three student at Gayaza High School, Sunshine Murungi Bethel, died from severe malaria, highlighting the continued threat posed by the disease in Uganda. The 14-year-old passed away after battling complications caused by the infection.Murungi reportedly fell ill on June 16 and died two days later after her condition worsened. She was laid to rest on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, with family, friends and schoolmates remembering her as a bright and loving student.According to doctors, malaria weakened her immune system and later affected vital organs, including her kidneys, which required dialysis. Despite receiving intensive care, dialysis and blood transfusions, Murungi developed respiratory failure after bleeding into her lungs due to severe inflammation caused by the disease.Her family described her as a “family sunshine” who shared a close bond with her parents, Bruce Mucunguzi and her mother. A funeral service was held at Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala as loved ones gathered to celebrate her life.Bebe Cool calls for stricter school trip rules after Kapchorwa tragedyMurungi’s passing has renewed concerns about the impact of malaria in Uganda and across Africa. According to the World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report 2025, Africa accounts for 94% of global malaria-related deaths, with children under five carrying the heaviest burden. In 2023 alone, Uganda recorded more than 16 million malaria cases and 2,793 deaths, most of them among young children.The post Gayaza High School student dies from severe malaria complication appeared first on MBU.