The police in Kanyum Sub County, Kumi District, are under intense scrutiny following the death of 37-year-old Peter Okoche while in custody.
Okoche was arrested after on Sunday, January 13, when a woman from Okeito Village reported the theft of five goats.
Police were called to investigate, deploying a canine unit to track the suspect.
According to John Baptist Asingye, the LC3 Chairperson of Kanyum Town Council and a cousin of the deceased, the police dog led officers to Okoche’s home.
As Okoche was not present, the police later arrested him at a nearby trading center and detained him at Kanyum Police Station.
Asingye reported seeing Okoche on Monday in good health.
The detainees, including Okoche, were reportedly cleaning chairs at the sub-county offices, and Asingye even had a brief conversation with him.
On Tuesday, other relatives visited Okoche, who seemed to be in stable condition.
However, the situation took a tragic turn on Wednesday morning when police informed Asingye that Okoche had died in his cell.
According to the police, Okoche “knocked himself against the ceiling” of his cell during the night, resulting in a fatal injury.
A postmortem conducted in Mbale revealed that Okoche had suffered a severe head injury, causing internal bleeding and leading to his death.
Notably, the rest of his body showed no signs of physical trauma.
“We are not satisfied with the police’s explanation,” Asingye stated.
“There are inconsistencies in their accounts, especially concerning the other suspects who were in custody with him. We are calling for an independent investigation to ensure justice for our family.”
The family has demanded clarity, urging authorities to address their concerns about the circumstances surrounding Okoche’s death.
Tensions remain high in Kanyum as the community joins the family in seeking answers.
Damalie Nachuha, the Regional Police Commander (RPC) for East Kyoga, confirmed the incident, describing it as a sudden death.
She noted that the body was taken for further examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Nachuha assured the public that investigations are underway and pledged transparency in handling the case.
The death of Peter Okoche has sparked outrage within the community and beyond.
Local leaders and human rights activists have called for an independent inquiry into the incident, citing the need for accountability and justice.
The case highlights broader concerns about police practices in Uganda, particularly regarding the treatment of suspects in custody.
Advocacy groups have called for improved oversight, training, and adherence to human rights standards to prevent similar tragedies.
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