On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, police and forensic experts were called to the Kampala Golf Course to remove the body of a man found hanging from a tree. The deceased, identified as Samuel Bukendi, was discovered around 7 am.
Samuel Bukendi is suspected to have been a vendor at Nakasero market. He was found with an identity card from Nakasero market and a national ID belonging to a woman. The police have not yet determined the motive or the exact circumstances surrounding his death. His body was taken to the city mortuary at Mulago for further examination.
The head of security at the Golf Course, Mr. Edwin Ocaya, confirmed Bukendi’s identity based on the documents found with him. However, the police have not released an official statement regarding Bukendi’s case.
This incident follows a recent warning by Kampala Metropolitan Police about a sharp rise in suicide cases in Uganda’s capital and surrounding areas. Last week, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, reported several suicide cases within a short period. These included two individuals who jumped off buildings and two others found hanging from trees within 72 hours.
On June 3, three suicide cases were reported in Bulenga, Katwe, and Kiira. In Bulenga, Robert Wanonili, a 38-year-old cancer patient, was found hanging from a mango tree. In Katwe, Yunus Budo, a chapatti vendor, was discovered hanging near his house in Ndejje Lubogomu. Additionally, Shukla Chiragkumar, an Asian national, allegedly jumped from the fourth floor of a hotel building, breaking his arm before being pronounced dead at a hospital in Bukoto.
Another case involved John Birungi Babirukamu, a 40-year-old ICT specialist and digital marketer, who allegedly jumped to his death from a hotel building in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb. These incidents highlight a growing concern over the rise in suicides in the region.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 700,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among individuals aged 15-29 globally. In Uganda, a report by the Ministry of Health and the Uganda National Institute Public Health (UNIPH) indicates a high suicide rate, with men being at higher risk than women.
Mental health experts suggest that factors such as loans, family-related issues, underperformance at workplaces, and the lack of mental health sessions at work contribute to the high suicide rates. Dr. Godfrey Yiki, a mental health expert, emphasized the need for workplaces to organize open mental health sessions where individuals can share their emotions and challenges. He also urged the government to initiate mental health awareness campaigns to help Ugandans access necessary support.
