Family questions prison warden’s death as Tooro king set for state burial

30 August 2026, 1:01 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The family of Private David Serugo, a prison warden who was stationed in Mateete, Sembabule District, is seeking justice following his death, which authorities reportedly believe was a suicide.

The family, however, is not convinced that Serugo took his own life. They say he loved his family and had big plans for the future, including travelling abroad in search of better employment opportunities.

According to his widow, Peace Akampulira, Serugo had requested permission from his superiors to travel to Gulu for two weeks to meet her. She said the couple had previously been living in Gulu before Serugo was transferred to Mateete in Sembabule District.

Akampulira said the family later found his body in a forest along the Gulu Highway after searching for him for nearly two weeks. During the search, the family believed he might have travelled abroad, as he had previously talked about seeking employment outside the country.

It is alleged that Serugo’s roommate found a suicide note in which he reportedly indicated that he had decided to take his own life because of depression.

However, a family member who preferred anonymity said they could not believe Serugo would have taken such a decision given his character and plans for the future.

The family member said, “My uncle was very brave and loved us so much. We cannot believe that he ended his life because he had big plans for the future, including going abroad to work. Our prayer is that we get justice as a family.”

Serugo was buried at night several days ago.

Our attempts to get a comment from the Uganda Prisons Service spokesperson, Frank Baine Mayanja, were unsuccessful. When contacted, Baine promised to get back to us after being informed about the family’s concerns. However, subsequent attempts to reach him on his known telephone numbers were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the Government of Uganda has confirmed that the late King of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, will receive a state burial.

President Yoweri Museveni made the announcement in a condolence message to the people of Tooro and Uganda following the King’s death.

Museveni said the late King had supported government programmes and played an important role in sensitising the public, particularly young people in the kingdom, about development.

According to the President’s statement, he received information from the Queen Mother that the late King had left behind an heir.

Museveni also directed that the Ugandan flag be flown at half-mast for three days: the day before the burial, on the burial day and the day after the burial.

King Oyo died in the United States at the age of 34 after battling cancer. He had been on the throne for 31 years, having succeeded his father, King Patrick Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III, who died in 1995.

The King’s body is yet to arrive in Uganda, although mourning has already begun across the Tooro Kingdom.