Rukungiri man accused of stealing matooke from parents found in police cells dead

A 35-year-old man accused of stealing a bunch of matooke from his parents’ farm and threatening violence was on Tuesday found dead in Rukungiri District police cells, where he had been detained.

The police spokesman for Kigezi Sub-region, Mr Elly Maate, said Alex Mugarura, a resident of Marumba B village, Kanyinya ward, Southern Division, Rukungiri District, was found hanging dead in what police are treating as a suspected suicide case.

Police said Mugarura had been detained after his 67-year-old father, Mr Charles Kakumu, a resident of Marumba 'B' Cell, on Monday (November 10) reported to police a case of theft against his son, whom he also accused of threatening violence.

“And when they escaped from him, he got infuriated and cut down their banana plantation,” Mr Maate said.

According to Mr Maate, detectives at Marumba police post intervened to save the situation, which resulted in Mugarura’s arrest and detention. 

He was, however, found hanging dead in the cells, with police claiming he used his shirt to commit suicide.  

“Unfortunately, such an adult was threatening violence against his own parents, yet it was his responsibility to protect them from any danger.

Although this was not the first time the accused was being charged with the same offence, it was ugly for him to take his life while in the police cells,” Mr Maate said.

 

Mr Maate further said the scene of the crime was visited by Rukungiri District Grade One Magistrate, the district police commander and his team, as well as a medical doctor who examined Mugarura’s body before it was handed over to the relatives for the burial.

Cases of suspects dying in police cells are common in Uganda, with officers attributing them to suicide.