Man immolates self in Kitende

Police in Kampala metropolitan are investigating a case in which a man died Saturday evening after setting himself on fire.

The yet to be identified man left residents of Kitende, Wakiso District in shock when he allegedly set himself on fire after drenching his body with petrol.

An eye witness told this reporter that the man was seen running along Kampala-Entebbe road before he fell and died.

“He emerged from nowhere while on fire. We saw him running along the main road before he fell. By the time we rushed to try and help. He was already dead,” the witness said.

Police said they are still gathering details about the man and the motive for committing suicide.

"He set himself on fire and died. By yesterday (Saturday) evening, he was not yet known. We will find out whether he's known by anyone in the area and perhaps try to establish the motive. I will consult and give you details later when I get them," Kampala Metropolitan deputy spokesperson, Mr Luke Owoyesigyire told Daily Monitor on Sunday morning.

This is not the first-such case to be registered in Uganda.

In July last year, a boda-boda rider died after setting himself on fire inside Masaka Central Police Station traffic offices following failed attempts to recover his impounded motorcycle.

Eyewitnesses said Hussein Walugembe, 29, entered the office at around 8am and tried to negotiate with traffic officers he found inside to give him back the motorcycle which had been impounded few days earlier for allegedly flouting curfew guidelines. When his efforts were frustrated, he set himself on fire.