crime 1 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Elderly Farmer Accused of Defiling Toddler Found Dead in Budaka Police Cell
An 80-year-old man from Budaka District, arrested on allegations of defiling a 2-year-old girl, was discovered hanged in his police cell using his t-shirt and coat. Police have opened a suicide investigation as the community grapples with the tragic incident. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/80-year-old-man-accused-of-defilement-dies-in-police-cells-5409874
A quiet trading center in Budaka District was stunned when news broke of an 80-year-old farmer’s death in police custody.
Yakobo Ngamba, a resident of Nawoja in Namengo parish, Budaka Town Council, had been handed over to police by locals on March 29 over claims of aggravated defilement involving a 2-year-old girl.
North Bukedi Regional Police Spokesperson ASP Wilfred Kyempasa noted that the suspect was detained amid threats of mob justice while investigations proceeded.
The following morning, male guards found Ngamba’s body hanging in the cell, suspended by his t-shirt and coat. He appeared emotionally distressed upon arrest.
Deputy Regional CID head D/SP Acaya, SSP Bwire, and SOCO teams examined the scene. A postmortem was conducted, and Magistrate Grade 1 Martin Kirala authorized release of the body to relatives for burial.
Police Constable Faizo Waiswa reported the incident as suicide under CRB 142/2026. The coroner’s report and file will go to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The tragedy has sparked questions about prevention in the close-knit community, where elders command deep respect.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)