Mbale police commander buried pending postmortem report

The Field Force Unit (FFU) police commander attached to Mbale Central Police station, the Assistant Inspector of Police who died on Monday has been buried pending postmortem report.

Sam Okiror, 54, died at Embago Clinic in Mbale City where he had been admitted.

The officer’s burial at his ancestral home in Koena village, Kidongole Sub County in Bukedea District on Thursday was conducted by the Cobvid-19 response team.

Okiror reportedly became ill on Sunday morning and was rushed to the health facility where his condition deteriorated in the evening before he passed on.

 It's suspected that the officer died of Covid-19. However, a postmortem report is yet to be released as his samples were taken to Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe for testing.

 "It's not yet clear what caused his death because he felt ill on Sunday before he was rushed to hospital,” a colleague who asked not to be named in this report because he’s not authorized to speak to journalists.

The Elgon region Police Spokesperson, Mr Rogers Taitika, described the deceased as a dedicated and hardworking officer, friendly to everyone.

“He has left a big gap. We shall miss him,"Mr Taitika said.

He said Okirior was rushed to hospital after complaining of chest pain.

"He started complaining of chest pain and his wife and children rushed him to Embago Clinic where he died from. We shall miss him especially in this time of election,” Mr Taitika said before adding that Okiror joined the police force in 1989. 

He had seven years left to retired from the Force.

Mbale District Police Commander, Mr Fred Ahimbisibwe, described Okiror as a hard-working, disciplined and incorruptible officer.

"Okiror you have gone too soon. You left a big gap in Uganda Police force. We shall miss you. May his Rest in eternal peace," Mr Ahimbisibwe said.