By Weswa Ronnie
BUDAKA
Police in Budaka District are investigating circumstances under which a 54-year-old man died while in custody at Naboa Town Council Police Station.
The deceased has been identified as David Gawaya, a Mugwere peasant and resident of Namajja 1 Cell, Naboa Ward, Naboa Town Council, Budaka District.
According to Bukedi North Region Police Spokesperson, ASP Wilfred Kyempasa, the incident occurred on 18/07/2026 at about 6:30am.
He says that on the previous day at around 3:49pm, one Namatende Jannat, together with her husband Higenyi Moses, the Defence Secretary, and the Vice Chairperson of Namajja 1 Cell, escorted Gawaya to Naboa Police Station.
They alleged that Gawaya had threatened them with a panga when they went to his home to follow up on Shs500,000 he had allegedly obtained from the complainant by false pretences.
Upon reaching his home, he reportedly went inside and came out armed with a panga threatening to cut them, but they overpowered and handed him to Police.
A case of threatening violence and obtaining money by false pretence was registered vide SD Ref. 17/17/07/2026. A panga and a bottle of Simba alcoholic drink were recovered from him during a search, and he was detained.
On 18/07/2026 at about 6:30am, a cell guard No. 92196 PPC Mulogo Jacob checked on the suspects and found Gawaya lying on the floor dead.
Police opened a case of sudden death vide SD Ref. 12/18/07/2026 and CRR 023/2026. A statement was recorded from the reporter. Statements were also obtained from the other suspect who was in custody with the deceased, as well as from cell guards and officers on day and night shift.
Kyempasa adds that the scene was visited by the OC Station Budaka CPS, ASP Kamulari John, together with SOCO and a D/CID team from Budaka CPS.
The body of the deceased was taken to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital on PF48 for postmortem. Police say investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of death.
