A third police officer has committed suicide in a space of twelve days. Police Constable 55373 Alfred Obida killed himself today morning at Kireka police barracks for yet to be known reasons.
Superintendent of Police –SSP Patrick Onyango, the Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, said he was yet to get a briefing about the incident. However, police sources said Obida locked himself inside the bedroom and then shot himself in the head.
“His wife was outside and heard a gunshot sound so she rushed inside and noticed her husband wasn’t in the sitting where he often rests,” a police source said. “She entered the bedroom and saw the body in a fresh pool of blood. She screamed loudly and it attracted the entire barracks’ attention.”
This incident has happened six days after Police Constable Joel Kopi Bobi 27 shot himself dead in Moyo Sub-County police barracks. Before killing himself, Kopi first shot and killed his boss Corporal Geoffrey Ogwal.
“Our preliminary investigations indicate that Kopi first shot his colleague in the chest before shooting himself on the neck. We don’t know what prompted Kopi to shoot his colleague,” Ignatius Dragudu, the North West Nile police spokesperson said then.
The Moyo incident came five days after Constable Coled Twesigye died of a gunshot on his left side head inside an armory. Even though report indicated he had committed suicide, Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, said preliminary investigations pointed to possible accidental shooting since he was testing guns he was going to give to private security guards.
So far eight police officers have committed suicide since this year began. In August, Assistant Inspector of Police –AIP George William Kaweesi 45, killed himself hours after arriving at his new station in Pallisa district.
AIP Kaweesi had been appointed Officer In charge of field operations at Pallisa police station and he had been transferred from Magamaga. Immaculate Emilly Alaso, the Bukedi North police spokesperson, said Field Force Police –FFP officers helped to offload belongings of their new boss and he was allocated a house but killed himself just hours after arrival.
On July 15, Constable 54802 Mugenyi Kandoole killed himself in Masindi district. His body was found hanging on a tree which was near his station. Kandoole’s body was discovered by his colleagues.
Constable Yesho Joel Chemutai, force number 77309, shot himself dead on April 18 in Kazo district. He was attached to Kanoni police station. The District Police Commander –DPC John Lokooto, said Constable Chemutai first had breakfast with his colleagues but minutes later, he shot himself dead.
On April 10, Constable James Atoo Agwayi, force number 50492 shot himself at 1pm dead in Mubende district after returning from field operation with colleagues.
At the start of this year, Corporal George Drandi, attached to Very Important Persons Protection Unit VIPPU shot himself dead at 4am.
Prof Edward Bantu, a psychologist explains that people reach a point of killing themselves or people around after developing psychotic status which is a disease of the mind.
Bantu explains that people such as police officers need regular mental assessment which can be done through discussions to know the challenges they are going through.
-URN
