Kole, Uganda | Police in Kole District have opened investigations into the sudden death of a 42-year-old man who collapsed while in police custody and later died at the hospital.
The deceased has been identified as Ogwang Tonny, a resident of Lwala Trading Centre in Ayer Subcounty, Kole District.
According to the North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the incident was reported on March 8, 2026, at around 9:15am by Police Constable Stuart Isabirye attached to Kole Central Police Station.
Okema said the deceased had earlier been arrested on March 5, 2026, on allegations of assault. The complainant in the case was reportedly his wife, and the matter had been registered and was being handled by the Child and Family Protection Unit.
Police say that shortly after being brought to the station, Tonny began behaving unusually. He was reportedly talking excessively and repeatedly banging the door of the police cells.
On the morning of March 8 at around 9:00am, the cells guard conducted a routine check and found the suspect weak and unconscious inside the cell.
The Officer-in-Charge of the station was immediately informed and directed that the suspect be rushed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for medical attention.
Police transported him using a police vehicle at about 9:30am, but upon arrival at the hospital’s emergency ward, he was pronounced dead.
Preliminary information indicates that the deceased had allegedly gone on a hunger strike since the previous day. Police also observed that his behaviour prior to the incident suggested signs consistent with a person experiencing mental health challenges.
Police have since opened a death inquiry file, informed the relatives of the deceased, and conveyed the body to the mortuary at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, pending a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Authorities have called for calm among relatives and members of the public as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death continue.
