Suspect dies in Jinja police cells two hours after arrest
What you need to know:
- Mr Kasimba said Mugweri had asked him to inform his family about the arrest so that they could take for him food.
- Cases of suspects dying in police cells are common in Uganda, with many attributed to suicide.
A man suspected to have stolen money from his bosses has been found hanging dead in Jinja police cells.
Daniel Kitamirike Mugweri, a resident of Magamaga East village in Buwenge rural Sub-county in Jinja died from the cells of Kagoma police station located in the same area, according to the village LCI chairman, Mr Kalifani Kasimba who was part of the team that arrested him.
‘’The suspect we arrested in the morning died from Kagoma police cells two hours after putting him inside,’’Mr Kasimba confirmed.
He said Mugweri tried to escape from police as soon as he reached their premises but he was re-arrested after being pursued for about 300 meters.
Mr Kasimba said Mugweri had asked him to inform his family about the arrest so that they could take for him food.
However, when his family arrived at the station with food, detectives found him hanging dead upon opening the cells.
Mr Kasimba disclosed that Mugweri said he owed Shs350, 000 to “some people” who trailed him from Masaka where he had been working.
However, Kiira Region police spokesperson, Mr James Mubi said the alleged stolen money was Shs500,000.
‘’Records from police indicate that the suspect had stolen Shs500,000 from unnamed bosses who traced him up to Jinja for arrest,’’Mr Mubi said.
He explained that the suspect used his clothes to hang himself in police cells.
Cases of suspects dying in police cells are common in Uganda, with many attributed to suicide.
