By Obed Kankiriho
A 35-year-old man has reportedly committed suicide while in police custody at Marumba Police Post in Kanyinya Ward, Southern Division, Rukungiri Municipality.
The deceased, identified as Alex Mugarura, a resident of Marumba “B” Cell, is said to have taken his own life in the early hours of Tuesday morning while detained alone in a police cell.
According to police reports, Mugarura was arrested on Monday after allegedly stealing a bunch of matooke belonging to his father, Charles Kakumu, 67, and threatening him with a panga. When Kakumu fled, Mugarura reportedly cut down the family’s banana plantation in anger.
Kakumu later reported the matter to police, prompting officers from Marumba Police Post, led by the Officer in Charge, to arrest and detain Mugarura.
Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, Elly Maate, confirmed the incident, saying that at around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the officer on duty discovered that Mugarura had hanged himself using his T-shirt.
Maate said the scene was visited by the Rukungiri Grade One Magistrate (coroner), the District Police Commander, and a medical team who conducted a postmortem examination before the body was handed over to relatives for burial.
He further revealed that Mugarura had a history of similar violent behavior toward his parents, describing the incident as “very unfortunate,” especially for someone expected to protect his family.
