Thomas Nabaya, 29, a resident of Sukuta village in Kabeywa Sub County, Kapchorwa district, has tragically taken his own life while in custody at Kapchorwa Central Police Station. Fredmark Chesang, spokesperson for the Sipi Region police, confirmed the incident, stating that Nabaya hanged himself using a bedsheet on Saturday, July 6.
According to Chesang, Nabaya exploited a moment when he was left alone, while others were recording their statements. “He was left alone, and upon the return of others to the cells after recording statements, they found him hanging with a bedsheet,” Chesang explained.
Nabaya had been arrested on July 3 following accusations from his parents that he had stolen 25 kilograms of fertilizers. Chesang mentioned that Nabaya’s body underwent a postmortem examination at Kapchorwa Main Hospital before being released to his family for burial.
Chesang emphasized that this incident marked the first instance of a suspect committing suicide in the cells of Kapchorwa Central Police Station. Festo Majinjach, an activist from Sebei Transformation Initiative, a human rights advocacy organization, suggested that such family disputes should ideally be resolved at the local council (LC1) level rather than escalated to the police.
“Cases like these are best handled by the LC1 Chairperson and the family,” Majinjach advised.
-URN-
