Man dies in police custody at Apac central police station

11 March 2026, 7:44 pm

By, Abili Isaac Newton

Police in Apac district have launched investigations into the death of a 31-year-old man who reportedly died while in custody at Apac Central Police Station.

The deceased has been identified as Jimmy Odongo, a security guard attached to A-One Hotel in Apac Municipality. Odongo was arrested on Tuesday together with his friend, Okwir Geoffrey, on allegations of stealing a bunch of bananas on Saturday.

According to the Resident District Commissioner of Apac District, Andrew Onyuk, Odongo reportedly got involved in a fight with other suspects inside the police cell while in custody. However, it remains unclear whether the fight resulted in injuries that later caused his death.

Onyuk explained that police officers rushed Odongo to Apac General Hospital after noticing that his condition had deteriorated while in the cell. Unfortunately, he was later pronounced dead at the health facility.

The RDC added that investigations into the incident have already commenced to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the death.

“Investigations have already started to establish what exactly happened while the suspect was in custody…” Onyuk.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s elder brother, Patrick Otim, told Radio Apac that the family received information that Odongo had died while in police custody. He called on police authorities to conduct thorough investigations so that justice can be served for his late brother.

Reports indicate that Odongo and his colleague Okwir Geoffrey were arrested following accusations that they had stolen a bunch of bananas from a nearby garden in Apac Municipality on Saturday.

The two were later detained at Apac Central Police Station as police prepared to investigate the case. Odongo’s death while still in custody has since raised concerns among family members and the community, prompting calls for transparency in the ongoing investigations.

Efforts by Radio Apac to get a comment from the North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, Jimmy Patrick Okema, were unsuccessful by press time.