Kisoro, Uganda – Shock gripped the residents of Nyaruhengeri village, Busamba ward, Southern Division, Kisoro Municipality, on Wednesday, after a 34-year-old man, was found dead in Lake Mutanda.
The deceased has been identified as Jackson Niyonsaba, a casual laborer, known for loading and offloading goods from lorries in town.
Sources indicate that at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, children collecting firewood in the area saw Niyonsaba near the lake shores.
The next morning, residents discovered a dead body in black attire floating in the lake and informed the area LC1 chairperson, who alerted the police.
According to James Ndahiro, the LC III Chairperson of Southern Division, the family suspected Niyonsaba might have attempted to commit suicide, given his history of mental illness.
Cue in … James on the incident. Ruf
In February, Niyonsaba had previously attempted to harm himself with a panga but was rescued and taken for medical attention.
Kalan Zadok, the Officer in Charge of Nyakinama Police Post, urged the community to support those struggling with mental health issues and discouraged suicide.
He commended the children who spotted the body, saying their timely alert aided in the recovery of the deceased.
Cue in … Kalan on the incident. Ruf
The incident underscores the need for authorities to prioritize mental health awareness to prevent such occurrences.