Police in Budaka District are investigating a tragic incident in which an elderly suspect died by suicide while in custody at Budaka Police Station. The case, registered under Budaka CRB 142/2026, has raised concern among both authorities and the local community.
According to the report, the incident occurred in the early hours of March 31, 2026, at around 5:00 AM. Just minutes later, at about 5:05 AM, the matter was officially reported by Police Constable Waiswa Faizo, a 28-year-old officer attached to Budaka Police Station and a resident of the police barracks in the district.
The deceased has been identified as Ngamba Yakobo, an approximately 80-year-old man from Nawoja Village in Namengo Parish, Budaka Town Council. He had been in police custody since March 28, 2026, after being handed over by community members over allegations of defiling a two-year-old girl. Due to threats from angry residents who wanted to lynch him, police detained him for his own safety as investigations began.
On the morning of the incident, the officer guarding the male cells made a shocking discovery. The suspect was found hanging inside the cell, having reportedly used his own T-shirt and a coat to end his life. This immediately prompted the opening of a suicide case to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Police action was swift, with senior officers and investigators visiting the scene. Among them were the Deputy Regional CID officer for Bukedi North Region, the District Police Commander of Budaka, and Scene of Crime Officers from both the district and regional levels. Their presence ensured that proper procedures were followed.
A medical examination was carried out by a doctor from Budaka Health Centre IV, while the Grade One Magistrate from Budaka Court also visited the scene. A postmortem examination was conducted, and all necessary legal forms under the Inquest Act were completed to document the incident properly.
Following guidance from the magistrate, the body was later taken down and handed over to the deceased’s relatives for burial. Authorities confirmed that a few inquiries are still ongoing, and once completed, the file will be submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for further legal guidance.
Police have assured the public that any new developments will be communicated as soon as possible, as investigations continue to establish all the facts surrounding the unfortunate incident.
