Police in Rukungiri district through inquest NO. 001/2023 of Rukungiri chief magistrate’s court are probing circumstances under which a 26 year-old-man identified as Benjamin Akampa alias Kyojo suddenly died in police cells at Buyanja police station.
The Kigezi region police spokesperson, Mr Elly Maate confirmed the incident and said the deceased had been a resident of Kitojo central, Bugyera parish, Buyanja Sub County in Rukungiri district.
Maate says that Mr. Akampa died suddenly on Thursday at around 07:20 am.
Maate says that according to statements obtained from other suspects who were in custody, the deceased started complaining of stomach pain and was convulsing as if he was drunk.
He added that at around 06:00 pm of 25/05/2023, police officer No. 75918 PC Cherop the night cell guard while checking off duty, opened the cells and talked with the suspects including the deceased. Maate revealed that later at around 07:20 am, the day cell guard No.049 SPC Begumisa Bazira opened the cells and found him lying down facing up and on checking him, found that he had died.
Maate said that the sudden death was later confirmed by the Buyanja police station OC who after entering the Police cells immediately rung the DPC Rukungiri who mobilized officers and the magistrate Grade One His Worship Wakayemba Martin who is conducting the Inquest, all visited the scene which was processed and documented.
He also said that the body of the deceased was taken to Rwakabengo HC III mortuary for postmortem.
He added that the deceased had been arrested for allegedly breaking the house of one Allan Atweta and stealing his Hisense Television set valued at 1,600,000/= Uganda shillings.
He also confirmed that Allan Atweta and other three suspects, including Yusuf Tumugabirwe, Ivan Niwamanya, and Mary Tumuhairwe, have been arrested to aid investigations.
