60-year-old murder suspect commits suicide in police cells

Police in Kaliro District are probing the suspected suicide of a 60-year-old man, Matagala Stephen, while in custody.

Matagala, a resident of Budine Nyanza Village in Kaliro Town Council, had been detained on January 10, 2025, in connection with a murder case and was awaiting legal proceedings.

According to Busoga North Police Spokesperson Michael Kasadha, the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, January 13, 2025. Preliminary reports suggest that Matagala used a string to hang himself while other suspects in the cell were asleep.

“The other suspects were awakened by his struggle and managed to untie the string, causing him to fall to the ground. Believing he was unconscious, they alerted police officers. Unfortunately, efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was confirmed dead,” Kasadha explained.

Police have since secured the scene and launched an investigation to determine how Matagala accessed the string and the circumstances leading to his death.

A coroner was called to the scene, and a postmortem examination was conducted before the body was handed over to Matagala’s relatives for burial.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of individuals in police custody, prompting questions about preventive measures.

Kasadha assured the public of a thorough investigation, stating, “We are committed to transparency and accountability in handling this case. We urge the public to remain calm as we uncover any procedural lapses or negligence that may have contributed to the incident.”