Ugandan police have launched an investigation after the body of a medical worker from Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital was recovered from River Mpanga, more than a week after he was first reported missing.
The deceased has been identified as 33-year-old David Olwedo, a theatre attendant originally from the Acholi community. He was last seen at the hospital on 14 August before disappearing.
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Hospital administrator Beatrice Bamutaliza confirmed that staff had raised the alarm after Olwedo failed to show up for duty and his whereabouts remained unknown until his body was discovered on Friday.
Police said the body was retrieved from the river near Buhinga Stadium, about 67 metres from the Fort Portal–Kampala Highway. Homicide officers documented the scene before moving the remains to the hospital mortuary for examination.
Rwenzori West regional police spokesperson, Vincent Twesige, confirmed that Olwedo was found dressed in casual clothing and showed signs of having been in water for an extended period.
A post-mortem report indicated that he died from drowning, with doctors citing collapsed lungs filled with fluid, silt in the airway, and other telltale signs of hypoxia.
While the findings suggest drowning, investigators say they are keeping all options open. Police sources noted that Olwedo had previously shared a message on WhatsApp hinting at suicidal thoughts, though he later denied this when confronted by colleagues.
“The investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances under which he ended up in the river,” Twesige said.
The case has left staff at Fort Portal hospital in shock. Colleagues described Olwedo as a quiet and hardworking member of the team. His body remains at the hospital mortuary as inquiries continue.
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