Policeman stakes suspect's money in a bet, commits suicide

Police have kicked off investigations into circumstances under which one of their own committed suicide after allegedly blowing shs800,000 belonging to a suspect in betting.

Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire said Constable Sadiq Hussein Baguma who was working at Kisoga Police Station in Mukono was found hanging in his house in Namanve barracks.

“The deceased had earlier on March, 4, 2024 received about shs800,000 and other belongings for a suspect but didn’t hand over and through relatives, we have learnt that he said the money was stolen from him at a betting house,” Owoyesigyire said.

According to police, whereas the deceased told relatives the money had been robbed from him, it is suspected he lost it during betting.

Owoyesigyire said after losing the money, the suspect would later call his relatives asking them to help him fundraise the money he had lost.

“He made threats to the relatives that they would not see him again alive if they didn’t help him raise the funds,” Owoyesigyire said.

He noted that four days later, on March, 8, neighbours in Namanve police barracks  were forced to break Baguma’s door after a heavy stench .

“In the house, the neighbours found him hanging on a tied bed sheet around his neck on a wooden decker bed.”

Police say investigations into the incident have kicked off to ascertain circumstances leading to the death of the police officer.

Owoyesigyire however castigated police officers who swindled money for suspects, noting that it is against the law.

He urged that suspects’ belongings ought to be recorded and kept safe at the various police stations and posts.