LIRA, UGANDA – The Territorial Police in Lira-City Central Division have opened a formal investigation into the sudden death of Robert Opio, a 45-year-old manager at Rehema Hotel, whose body was discovered in his room on Tuesday morning.
According to a police statement released by SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the Public Relations Officer for the North Kyoga Region, a Death Enquiry File (DEF) has been registered to ascertain the circumstances leading to Opio's untimely demise.
Preliminary reports from the police indicate that on the evening of Monday,October 27, 2025, Opio was socializing with other staff members at the hotel, located in Tedam Cell, Barogole Ward, Lira-City West Division. He reportedly retired to his room at an unknown time during the night.
The grim discovery was made the following morning at approximately 7:30 a.m. on October 28, when the deceased was found lifeless in his room. Colleagues immediately alerted the police.
“A team led by the Division Police Commander (DPC) promptly responded to the scene," stated SP Okema. "The area was properly managed and documented by the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) and other detectives."
Opio's body has since been transferred to the Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
As the investigation unfolds, some family members have come forward with information that may provide a clue. Relatives disclosed that the deceased had a known history of epilepsy, which they suspect could be a contributing factor to his sudden passing.
Police have already recorded statements from both hotel staff and family members as part of the ongoing inquiry.
SP Okema extended the police force's sympathies, calling the incident "a very unfortunate incident" and offering "sincere condolences to the bereaved family."
He further emphasized that the findings of the postmortem report will be critical in guiding the subsequent phases of the police investigation.
