Lira City, Uganda – Authorities in Lira City West Division are probing the suspected suicide of a Lira University student who also served as a local football referee.
He was discovered dead early Monday morning in Ober Kampala Cell.The deceased, identified as Okello Boniface, was found hanging from a tree roughly three metres from his residence at around 7:00 am.
The case was reported to police by Omara Tony, a 30-year-old medical worker living in the same neighbourhood.
Initial police reports indicate that Boniface’s body was suspended with his legs about three metres above the ground, his head slanted to the left, and a V-shaped mark on his neck.
His tongue was protruding, and bruising was visible on his left cheek. Beneath the tree lay a pair of sandals.
He was dressed in a green striped T-shirt, blue trousers fastened with a brown belt, and was described as appearing well-nourished. Investigators say the scene bore all indications of death by hanging.
Police officers led by the DPC and OC CID documented the area, recorded witness statements, and conveyed the body to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for a postmortem.
North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson SP Jimmy Patrick Okema called the incident “deeply unfortunate” and appealed to the public to seek help when experiencing personal difficulties.
“Please speak to friends, family, or community leaders when you are struggling,” Okema urged.
The cause and circumstances leading to the suspected suicide remain unclear as investigations continue.
