Police Probe Suspected Suicide in Rukungiri Police Cell

Police in Rukungiri District are investigating the circumstances under which a 35-year-old man allegedly took his own life while in detention at Marumba Police Post, Kanyinya Ward, Southern Division.

The deceased has been identified as Alex Mugarura, a resident of Marumba “B” Cell in Kanyinya Ward, Rukungiri Municipality.

According to the Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Elly Maate, the incident occurred during the night of November 10, 2025, when Mugarura reportedly hanged himself using his T-shirt while alone in the cell.

Preliminary reports indicate that on the evening of November 10 at around 6:00 p.m., one Charles Kakumu, 67, a resident of Marumba “B” Cell, complained to police, accusing Mugarura, his son, of stealing a bunch of matooke. Kakumu alleged that when confronted, the suspect became violent, threatened to attack them with a panga, and later destroyed part of their banana plantation in anger.

Police officers from Marumba Post, led by the Officer in Charge (OC), responded to the complaint and arrested Mugarura, detaining him at the post. However, at around 2:30 a.m. on November 11, the OC discovered that the suspect had allegedly committed suicide inside the cell.

The scene was visited by a Grade One Magistrate, the District Police Commander, and a team of investigators, along with a medical doctor who conducted a postmortem examination. The body was later handed over to the family for burial.

ASP Maate described the incident as unfortunate, revealing that the deceased had previously faced similar charges involving disputes with his parents, despite being expected to offer them protection.