Events that Took Place Before UPDF Engineer Fatally Shot Himself to Death at a Football Field
A somber mood has engulfed the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) following the tragic death of Lieutenant Ariho Amon, an officer with the UPDF Engineering Brigade. The incident occurred around 2 pm on Wednesday at a football field in Nakirebe, Mpigi District.
According to Major Charles Kabona, UPDF First Division spokesperson, Lieutenant Ariho stopped his car at the football field, dispersed the players, and then fatally shot himself with his SMG rifle. Soldiers and police officers quickly arrived at the scene, cordoned off the area, and recovered Lt. Ariho's phone and documents from his car. The body was transported to Mulago Hospital mortuary, while the gun and car were taken to Mpigi Police Station for further analysis.
Colonel Deo Akiiki, UPDF Deputy Defence Public Information Officer, stated that the UPDF has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lt. Ariho's death. He emphasized that the UPDF has been actively training and deploying psycho-social support personnel to provide counseling services to troops. "We have been training our personnel to recognize the signs of stress and to provide support to those who need it," Akiiki said.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing mental health challenges faced by military personnel globally. While exact figures for the UPDF remain undisclosed, anecdotal evidence suggests that incidents of suicide have prompted increased attention to mental health within Uganda's military.
As the investigation continues, the UPDF has pledged to support the families of those affected and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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