In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the images of Lt. Amon Ariho, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer who tragically took his own life on January 1, 2024 have emerged.
His death, which sent shockwaves through the military community and the country, was not just a loss of life, but a grim reminder of the pressures and struggles many soldiers face in silence.
Before his untimely demise, Lt. Ariho penned a suicide note that exposed the emotional turmoil and personal grievances he carried.
He expressed deep frustrations with the UPDF Engineering Brigade, particularly targeting Maj. Ogwang, accusing him of undermining the work of engineers in the Central Region.
Ariho, who joined the army in 2013, served for several years, and reached the rank of lieutenant, spoke candidly about the internal battles he faced.
In his note, Ariho wrote about how Maj. Ogwang had displaced skilled engineers and caused chaos within the brigade.
Specifically, he mentioned the situation in Butambala District, where a construction project, the Gombe Hospital, was criticized for alleged corruption and mismanagement.
According to Ariho, the challenges he faced were compounded by leadership conflicts that made him feel unsupported and isolated within the military.
Though the note painted a bleak picture of Ariho’s final days, it also shed light on his years of service to the nation.
He described visits to various districts, including Mpigi and Butambala, and detailed efforts to contribute to the army’s infrastructure projects, which were, in his view, being sabotaged by corrupt and selfish leadership.
His complaints also extended to the handling of financial debts that the Engineering Brigade had inherited—issues that seemingly contributed to his despair.
In the aftermath of his suicide, the UPDF issued a brief statement confirming the tragic incident, describing how Lt. Ariho had pulled out his weapon, an SMG, in the area of Nakirebe, between Wakiso and Mpigi districts. It was reported that the officer chased away local football players before taking his life. Investigations into the incident continue, but the case remains shrouded in mystery regarding the extent to which his grievances may have contributed to his tragic end.
