Kole Police say investigating suspect's death in cell

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Kole district Police say they have launched investigations into the sudden death of a 42-year-old man who collapsed while in custody at the Central Police Station.

The deceased has been identified as Ogwang Tonny, a resident of Lwala trading centre in Ayer sub-county.

North Kyoga region Police Spokesperson Jimmy Patrick Okema said the incident was reported on March 8, 2026, at about 9:15am.

According to Okema, Ogwang had been arrested two days earlier on allegations of assault.

The complainant in the case was his wife, and the matter was being handled by the Child and Family Protection Unit.

Upon arrival at the station, the suspect began behaving unusually, including talking excessively and repeatedly banging the door of the Police cells, according to Okema.

He added that yesterday morning, the cell guard conducted a routine inspection and found Ogwang weak and unconscious inside the cell.

The matter was immediately reported to the Officer in Charge of the station, who responded and directed that the suspect be rushed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for medical attention, where he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital’s emergency ward.

Preliminary information indicates that Ogwang had allegedly gone on a hunger strike starting the previous day.

Police have since opened a Death Enquiry File to establish the exact cause of death, according to Okema, who called for calm among the deceased’s family and the public as investigations continue.