Man detained for wife beating, dies in Police cell

Bugiri, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Police in Bugiri district is investigating circumstances under which 40 year old, Nyawuchi Opendi apparently committed suicide inside the police cells at Muwayo police station on Sunday night.

Opendi who was alone in the police cells is reported to have strangled himself using his pair of trousers.

Opendi, a resident of Muwayo West village in Muwayo town council, in Bugiri district was detained after reportedly beating up his wife, Rosemary Alowo on Sunday evening.

Angry residents had attempted to lynch him on allegations that he had made it a habit to routinely batter his wife and children on a daily basis. However, police officers dispersed the crowd and arrested him.

Soweto Musana, the Muwayo West village chairperson says that prior to his arrest, Opendi had apologized to his wife in a village meeting on Friday, where he pledged to abandon his domestic violence tendencies, however, they were shocked to see him assaulting his wife on Sunday.

“Opendi himself made a public apology, where he pledged never to assault his wife again however, he did the same yesterday, which angered residents to attempt lynching him too,” the chairman says.

The Busoga east police spokesperson, James Mubi confirms the incident adding that the deceased has been taken to Bugiri general hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.