Apac, Uganda: A family in Apac Municipality is demanding answers from police after a 32-year-old security guard died while in custody at Apac Central Police Station, days after being arrested over an alleged banana theft.
The deceased, Jimmy Odongo, worked as a security guard at A-One Hotel in Apac Town. He reportedly died on Tuesday after spending several days in detention following his arrest on Saturday.
Odongo had been arrested together with another security guard, Calvin Okwir, 23, in connection with an alleged theft of a banana. The two were facing proposed charges of theft and burglary under SD 15/7/3/2026.
However, Odongo’s death before the matter could be presented in court has sparked grief and anger among his family members and clan leaders, who are demanding a transparent explanation from authorities.
On Monday, relatives and members of the Palamwek clan convened a family meeting at the ancestral home of the deceased in Barobia Cell, Agulu Division, Apac Municipality to discuss the circumstances surrounding his death.
Geoffrey Odongo Olyec, a clan leader of the Palamwek clan, said the family wants a clear account of what happened while their relative was in police custody.
“Our concern as a family and clan is to understand what exactly happened to our son while he was in police custody,” Olyec said.
“He was arrested alive and healthy, but now we are being told he died in the cells. We want police to give us a clear and transparent explanation.”
Olyec added that the family intends to follow all legal procedures before accepting the release of the body for burial.
“A postmortem was conducted at Apac Hospital, but we have not yet received the results. As a clan, we shall follow all the required procedures before the body is handed over to us,” he said.
He noted that the family may pursue legal action if they are not satisfied with the explanations provided.
Police open investigation
The Apac District Police Commander, Ms Norah Mirembé, confirmed that police have opened a General Enquiry File to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. “We have opened a General Enquiry File to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of the suspect while in police custody,” Mirembé said.
She added that statements have already been recorded from individuals who were detained at the police station at the time of the incident.
“The postmortem examination was conducted and the findings will help determine the exact cause of death,” she said.
The North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson, Patrick Jimmy Okema, urged members of the public to remain calm as investigations continue.
“Whenever a death occurs in police custody, it is treated with seriousness and an inquiry is immediately instituted,” Okema said. “A General Enquiry File has already been opened and statements have been recorded from suspects who were in custody when the incident happened.”
Okema assured the public that the findings of the investigation will be communicated once the inquiries are completed.
Local leaders have also appealed for calm as investigations proceed.
The LC5 councillor for Agulu Division, Moses Adoko Okello, urged residents and the bereaved family to allow the investigative process to run its course. “It is important that the truth comes out, but it must be done through a proper investigation,” Okello said.
Meanwhile, Calvin Okwir, who had been arrested together with the deceased, has since been released on police bond as investigations continue.
Police say Okwir remains a key witness in the case and may be required to provide additional information to investigators.
The incident comes shortly after another death in police custody in the Lango sub-region.
Police in Kole District are investigating the death of Ogwang Tonny, 42, a resident of Lwala Trading Centre in Ayer Sub-county, who died shortly after being rushed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital on Sunday.
According to police, Ogwang had been in custody since March 5, 2026, after he was arrested on allegations of assaulting his wife.
Regional police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
The two incidents have heightened concern among residents in the region about deaths occurring while suspects are in police custody.
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