The present study investigated the press media report evidence of firearm related suicides, homicides, and homicide-suicides involving security officers in two East African countries i.e., Uganda and Kenya. We describe the characteristics of the perpetrators and the victims involved in suicides, homicides, and homicide-suicides as described by press media reports. Firstly, not all suicides, homicides, homicide-suicides are reported by press media, and thus this is likely to underestimate their true incidence among security officers. Thirdly, some incidents may have been omitted due to the press media following guidelines for reporting such sensitive incidences among security officers. In addition, epidemiological research needs to be conducted to better understand the possible distribution of psychological challenges among security officers.

Source: The Star November 24, 2023 21:39 UTC