Summary:
- Ariho reportedly drove to Nakirebe, a location between Wakiso and Mpigi districts, around 2 p.m., where he fatally shot himself
RUKIGA: The remains of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer, Lt. Amon Ariho, who died by suicide last Wednesday, were laid to rest at his ancestral home in Mwanjari cell, Kibanda parish, Kamwezi Sub-county, Rukiga district.
Ariho reportedly drove to Nakirebe, a location between Wakiso and Mpigi districts, around 2 p.m., where he fatally shot himself. The officer, who served under the Engineering Brigade, was driving a black vehicle with registration number UBJ 493 Q. Before the incident, he stopped his car at a football field, cleared the area of players, and then ended his life.
His burial was an emotional event, marked by the absence of official military honors. His body was transported from his father’s house by a private funeral service. Due to the circumstances of his death, the church declined to grant him a Christian burial.
On Sunday, Ariho’s body was taken directly to the grave without hymns or prayers from the religious leaders present. Following the burial, various speakers, including family members, friends, and local leaders, expressed their grief and shock at the tragic loss.
The deceased’s wives, led by Violet Nakyi, shared their final moments with Ariho and disclosed that he had been battling work-related stress for an extended period. Nakyi, who is also a UPDF officer, appealed to the government to pardon her late husband despite his breach of military law. She urged the authorities to process his pension to support his four children and four wives, emphasizing the financial challenges they now face.
CUE IN NAKYI……ON GOVERNMENT…..LUG//
In response, Col. Milton Katarinyeba, a relative and one of Ariho’s military mentors, acknowledged the breach of military rules but pledged to advocate for assistance to support the deceased’s young children.
CUE IN KATARINYEBA…..ON THE RESPONSE…..RR//
The Rukiga Resident District Commissioner, Zadock Kamusiime, called upon the UPDF authorities to investigate the underlying causes of Ariho’s death. He emphasized the importance of addressing such issues to prevent future incidents and preserve the army’s reputation.
CUE IN RDC KAMUSIIME……ON INVESTIGATION…..RR//
Incidents of security personnel taking their own lives are not uncommon. In 2022 alone, 13 police officers and four soldiers reportedly died by suicide.
