The Uganda Prisons Service has released a statement regarding the death of 48-year-old remand prisoner Lazarus Kahangire, who was being held at Nyabuhikye Government Prison in Ibanda District. According to Frank Baine Mayanja, the spokesperson for the Uganda Prisons Service, Kahangire was admitted to the prison on March 20, 2025, on charges of attempted murder.
“Kahangire was weak, weighed 49 kg, and had a medical history right from the time of admission,” Mayanja said. After a two-week stay in custody, Kahangire succumbed to illness at Ruhoko Hospital on April 4, 2025. The postmortem report revealed that he died from lobar pneumonia and anemia.
The situation took a tragic turn when a police officer, Constable Suleiman Chemonges, was brutally killed by a mob while providing security at Kahangire’s burial. Mayanja strongly condemned this violent act, stating, “It is regrettable that the mob took the law into their own hands, attacked, and wrongfully killed Police Officer No. 75290, PC Suleiman Chemonges, who was on duty.”
The Uganda Prisons Service has called upon the Uganda Police Force to apprehend those responsible for the murder. In connection with the murder of Constable Chemonges, the police have arrested 29 suspects, including Nayebare Gerald, Kandwanaho Andrew, Tumusime Jackson, and others.
The Uganda Prisons Service extends its condolences to the families of both the police officer and the deceased prisoner. Mayanja said, “We continue to extend condolences to the families of the police constable and the deceased prisoner. May the souls of the deceased rest in eternal peace.”
