Police in Masaka are investigating the circumstances under which a 75-year-old man identified as John Male was found hanging from a tree in a forest.

This incident happened on August 17, 2024, in Jangano village, Gguluma parish in Buwunga sub-county.

According to preliminary reports, Male’s body was found hanging on a tree by the kids who had gone to the forest looking for firewood.

During an interview on August 18, 2024, the Buwunga LC III Chairperson, John Kalema Sekasiko, revealed that Male has been having some family issues, which could have resulted in him committing suicide.

Kalema added that Male had been missing for five days until August 17, 2024, when his body was found hanging from a tree in a forest.

’’Male had a tendency of disappearing from his family whenever they had issues or fights, so this time around when he disappeared, his family members might have thought he was going to come back as usual, but this time around it was different and a tragedy too,’’ Kalema said.

The Greater Masaka police spokesperson, Twaha Kasirye, confirmed this incident and said that investigations are underway.

Kasirye added that despite allegations of Male committing suicide, investigations are going to be carried out to reveal the real cause of his death because it could have been done by somebody else.

’’Despite all the evidence pointing out that it is a suicide, the police are still going to investigate because Male’s death could have been staged or done by somebody else, so anything is possible,’’ Kasirye stated.

The deceased’s body was taken to Masaka Referral Hospital for postmortem examinations.

Kasirye added that as the community grapples with the shock of this incident, it underscores the importance of mental health awareness and the need for support systems for individuals facing personal crises. He further encouraged all those with personal issues to seek help from friends or other elders of the clan or family than suffer silently because this can easily lead to depression and committing suicide.