Police in Kisoro District are investigating circumstances under which a 45-year-old Rwandan national allegedly died by suicide at his rented home in Kagando Trading Centre.
Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, Nelson Tumushime, identified the deceased as Samuel Habiyakare, a resident of Kagando Village, Gisozi Parish, Muramba Sub-county in Kisoro District.
‘It’s alleged that the deceased developed a misunderstanding with his wife in their rented house located in Kagando Trading Centre on Friday night. The deceased allegedly chased his wife out of the house and locked himself inside, and on Saturday morning, the body of the deceased was found hanging inside the house,’ Mr Tumushime explained.
The incident comes amid growing concern by police over suspected suicide cases in the Kigezi sub-region.
Mr Tumushime said three suspected suicide cases had been registered in the region in recent weeks, with police calling on people experiencing stress, depression, financial difficulties or family misunderstandings to seek support from relatives, friends, religious leaders and professionals.
‘The police in Kigezi Region has noted with serious concern an increase in cases of suspected suicide. During this month of September alone, three cases of suspected suicide have been registered in Kisoro District,’ Mr Tumushime said.
‘We shall continue to work with health workers, religious leaders, civil society organisation members and local leaders in sensitising community members on how to address mental health issues that are resulting in preventable suicide cases in our area,’ he added.
According to police, the most recent case before the Kisoro incident was reported on August 13, when a 20-year-old Senior Five student at Kigata High School in Kabale District, identified as Babra Katusiime, died by suicide at her home in Ahamurangara Village, Bugarama Parish, Buhara Sub-county.
Mr Tumushime said the student had told her mother that she would not go to school because she did not have an examination paper to write. Her mother later returned home from the garden and found her daughter dead inside the house.
The second case was reported on August 6 in Kahama Cell, Kanyantorogo Sub-county, Kanungu District, where the body of a 53-year-old man, identified as Fredian Friday, was found hanging from a jackfruit tree near his home.
Police said the man was reportedly experiencing financial difficulties and accumulated debts.
The third incident occurred on July 27 in Rubuguri Town Council, Kisoro District, where a 57-year-old professional teacher, identified as James Kamari, was found dead inside his home.
Mr Tumushime said police processed the scene and took the body for a postmortem examination.
He urged people experiencing stress or depression to seek help rather than dealing with their difficulties alone.
‘In case of stress, please get closer to a trusted family member or friend, religious leader for guidance and counselling,’ Mr Tumushime said.