Inquest into Samwel Uko’s death in Regina to start in late May

Dates for the twice-postponed inquest into the death of Samwel Uko have been set.

On Friday, the Saskatchewan government announced the inquest is to be held from May 30 to June 3, with the possibility of an extension to June 6. It’s to be held at the Ramada Plaza in Regina.

Uko was 20 years old when he died by drowning in Wascana Lake on May 21, 2020.

According to his family, the former University of Saskatchewan Huskies football player had gone to a Regina hospital seeking help for mental health issues but was turned away without getting assistance.

The inquest into Uko’s suicide was called in June of 2020 and dates were set in September of 2021. It was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions and rescheduled to January of this year, but was postponed again due to rising cases of the coronavirus.

“The Saskatchewan Coroners Service is responsible for the investigation of all sudden, unexpected deaths,” the Ministry of Justice said in a media release.

“The purpose of an inquest is to establish who died, when and where that person died and the medical cause and manner of death. The coroner’s jury may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.”

In July of 2020, the Saskatchewan Health Authority apologized to Uko’s family for its role in his death, saying he “did not get the care he needed” when he visited the Regina General Hospital seeking help.