Buikwe, Uganda
The Buikwe police have found themselves under sharp criticism following the mysterious death of an unidentified suspect in their custody. The public has branded it ‘Unsafe Custody” after the arrest later turned into a tragic incident.
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The suspect apprehended on Tuesday around 2 pm, met his untimely death in Katigoma police post in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe district, Tuesday night.
SP Hellen Butoto, the Ssezibwa Regional Police Spokesperson, highlighted the incident, stating that the suspect was rescued from an angry mob at the Jomayi-Namatogonya zone in Kitigoma, Njeru.
The arrest came after a call from Kitigoma LC1 chairperson reported a mob accusing the suspect of stealing matooke and subjecting him to severe assault.
Prompt police intervention saved the suspect from the mob’s wrath, leading to his detention. Tragically, the suspect collapsed and passed away while in police custody.
Well aware of the suspect’s condition, the police did not take him for medical attention but detained him in their cell which was tantamount to fatal neglect.
According to Butoto, preliminary investigations reveal external marks of violence on the body, including a battered back, broken limbs, and an arm. However, no evident deep physical injuries have been identified.
Residents are now questioning the police’s decision to transport the suspect to the police cells instead of seeking medical attention.
Amir Luzinda, a resident of Katigoma, expressed discontent, labelling the police intervention as meaningless due to the suspect’s subsequent demise.
Luzinda also voiced concerns about the police practice of detaining suspects before recording their statements, contributing to the escalating tension surrounding the incident.
The Buikwe police now face heightened scrutiny, with demands for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death.
The community awaits answers and accountability as the incident raises broader questions about police protocol and the treatment of individuals in custody.
The neglect of a suspect in poor condition by the police not only results in the tragic loss of life but also erodes public trust, triggers legal and ethical consequences, and fuels tensions, necessitating a comprehensive reevaluation of policing practices to prevent similar incidents.
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