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Ugandan Refugee Commits Suicide Outside UNHCR Offices in Nairobi

Published

6 years ago

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A Uganda refugee in Kenya on Easter Monday committed suicide outside the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) offices in Westland, Nairobi.

The 28-year-old Aneste Mweru, allegedly hanged himself after going days without food and when he went to the UNHCR offices, he was turned away. Sources said that out of frustration, he used a white scarf to hang himself on a tree on Waiyaki way.

Ugandan Embassy officials in Nairobi did not respond to media inquiries, saying they are yet to get details regarding the death.

UNHCR office in Nairobi confirmed the death of the refugee and said they were saddened to learn of his demise.

“We, at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, are profoundly shocked and saddened by the tragic death and apparent suicide of a refugee today in Nairobi. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends. We ask everyone to kindly respect his dignity and the dignity and privacy of his family, and to desist from circulating pictures of the deceased,” a statement from the refugee agency reads.

“The deceased person, a Ugandan national was recognised as a refugee by the Government of Kenya. We are in close contact with the Kenyan police, who have launched an investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding his death. UNHCR is also in regular contact with the refugee community and relevant authorities to ensure that any required support is provided and to prevent the spread of misinformation,” the statement further reads.

According to the statement, UNHCR is concerned about the growing challenges faced by refugees and asylum-seekers as well as communities hosting them, in meeting their basic needs in the current difficult context.