By Norbert Mao
The police in Aswa West Region are investigating a suspected case of suicide by hanging that occurred in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City on Saturday.
The deceased has been identified as 52-year-old Nambooze Claire, a businesswoman and a resident of Tegwana Cell.
According to police reports, she left home in the morning as usual to attend to her business.
However, at about 11:00am, she reportedly asked a neighbour to continue selling her merchandise until 4:00pm.
Concern arose later in the afternoon when she could not be found, and at around 4:00pm, she was discovered hanging inside her premises.
The case was reported to police at 5:00pm by her husband as close relatives told investigators that the deceased had accumulated loans from four different microfinance institutions amounting to UGX 6 million.
Family members believe she may have been under significant financial pressure, which could have contributed to the tragic decision.
ASP Ongom David Mudong, the Police Public Relations Officer for Aswa West confirmed the incident and the body was conveyed to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination.
The 2024 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report recorded 218 suicide cases, marking a 26% increase from 165 cases in 2023, according to Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) data.
