Kampala police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Samuel Bukendi, whose body was found hanging from a tree at the city’s Golf Course early Tuesday morning. Bukendi, suspected to be a vendor at Nakasero market, was discovered around 7 a.m. with identification cards from both Nakasero market and a woman’s national ID.
The head of security at the Golf Course, Edwin Ocaya, confirmed the discovery but noted that the police have yet to determine the motive or circumstances behind Bukendi’s death.
His body has been taken to the city mortuary at Mulago for further examination. The police have not yet commented on the case.
This incident follows a sharp increase in suicide cases reported last week by Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire.
He highlighted that within 72 hours, two people had jumped off buildings and two others were found hanging from trees in different parts of the city.
On June 3, three suicide cases were reported in Bulenga, Katwe, and Kiira. Two men reportedly hanged themselves, while Shukla Chiragkumar, an Asian national, jumped from the fourth floor of a hotel building and later died in a Bukoto hospital.
Detectives are also investigating the deaths of Robert Wanonili, 38, in Bulenga, and Yunus Budo, a chapatti vendor in Katwe. Wanonili, a cancer patient, was found hanging from a mango tree, while Budo’s body was discovered hanging from a tree near his house in Ndejje Lubogomu.
These incidents occurred just two days after ICT specialist John Birungi Babirukamu allegedly jumped from a hotel building in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 700,000 people die by suicide each year, with suicide being the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds globally.
Uganda’s high suicide rate, particularly among men, was highlighted in a report by the Ministry of Health and the Uganda National Institute of Public Health.
Mental health expert Drabe Godfrey Yiki attributes the rising suicide rates to issues such as loans, family problems, workplace underperformance, and the lack of mental health sessions at work.
“Lack of mental health sessions at workplaces has greatly contributed to mental health issues and suicides in the country. Many Ugandans are burdened with loans and debts without anyone to discuss their issues with,” Drabe explained.
He urged human resource departments to organize open sessions where employees can share their emotions and challenges and called on the government to implement mental health awareness campaigns to help Ugandans access support.
