The Uganda Prison Service (UPS) has clarified the circumstances surrounding the death of remand prisoner Lazarus Kahangire, who was associated with the death of a police officer.
In a statement issued on April 7, 2025, Frank Baine, the UPS spokesperson, provided details regarding the remand prisoner’s health condition at the time of his admission.
He explained that Kahangire was in a weakened state when he was received at the prison.
The remand prisoner, identified as No. NYA: 211/2025, aged 48, was admitted to Bunyahikye Government Prison in Ibanda District on March 20, 2025.
He was facing charges of attempted murder under Section 187(a) of the Penal Code Act.
He noted that from the moment of his admission, Kahangire was weak, weighing just 49 kg, and had a pre-existing medical history.
he said unfortunately, after two weeks in custody, he succumbed to his illness on April 4, 2025, at around 08:15 AM, at Ruhoko Hospital and his relatives were informed accordingly.
Baine also shared that the postmortem report revealed the cause of death as lobar pneumonia and anemia.
He expressed regret over the violent mob action that led to the death of Police Constable Suleiman Chemonges, who was tragically killed by a crowd while performing his duties at Kahangire’s funeral.
“It is highly regrettable that the mob took the law into their own hands, attacking and wrongfully killing a police officer, No. 72290, Police Constable Suleiman Chemonges, who was performing his duty,” Baine remarked.
The UPS condemned the barbaric act in the strongest possible terms and called on the Uganda Police Force to ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice.
They also extended their condolences to the families of both the deceased police officer, PC Chemonges, and the late remand prisoner, Lazarus Kahangire.
The law enforcement launched an extensive manhunt for the perpetrators and has since arrested 29 suspects in connection with the officer’s murder.
PC Chemonges was killed by a mob of mourners on April 6, 2025, during Kahangire’s funeral at Kambogo Cell in Bisheshe Division, where he had been stationed for security duties.
According to police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma, the attack occurred around 2:00 PM at the funeral, with the assailants accusing Chemonges of being responsible for Kahangire’s arrest and subsequent detention.
Despite Chemonges firing warning shots in an attempt to defend himself, the mob overpowered him, leading to his tragic death.
Kituuma confirmed that police recovered an SMG rifle with 16 rounds of ammunition from the scene.
The officer’s body was later taken to the Ruhoko Health Centre mortuary for a postmortem examination.
He said police continues with the search for additional suspects who are still at large.
Kituuma condemned the violent act and assured the public that all those involved would be held fully accountable for their actions.
Samason Kasasira, the Rwizi police spokesman, suggested that relatives of Kahangire may have been behind the attack on the police officer.
