Kisoro District is in deep shock after a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier reportedly took his own life following a football match. The soldier, Private Samuel Kwesiga, 32, who served under the 35th Battalion at Nyanamo Detach, was found dead in his unipot on the morning of Monday, August 18. His body was discovered in Kigyeyo Village, Nyanamo Town Council, lying in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound.
According to local reports, on Sunday evening, August 17, Kwesiga went to Nyanamo Trading Centre to watch the highly anticipated English Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal. After the game, he returned to his detach, told his colleagues that he was tired, and went to his unipot to rest. Shortly after, nearby residents heard a gunshot. At first, it was thought to be an accident. However, when fellow soldiers checked on him and received no response, they looked through the window and were shocked to find him lying in blood. The door was forced open, confirming that he had taken his own life.
Police, led by Kigezi Region spokesperson Elly Maate, responded to the scene. They documented the area, collected witness statements, and recovered a spent cartridge and a rifle loaded with four magazines. Kwesiga’s body was taken to Kisoro Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations before being handed over to the UPDF command for burial arrangements. Investigations are ongoing to understand the reasons behind this tragic act.
Residents and colleagues are left grieving and questioning what could have pushed the young soldier to take his life after what seemed like a normal evening of football. The incident has cast a shadow of sorrow over the community, serving as a reminder of the hidden struggles that people may face, even during ordinary moments.
