The family of former Abbotsford Panthers star running back Samwel Uko has announced that a memorial prayer honouring his life will occur at Abbotsford Exhibition Park's Cadet Hall (32470 Haida Dr.) on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m.
Uko died by suicide after being denied service when he was suffering mental health issues while visiting family in Saskatchewan on May 21, 2020. He was just 20 years old at the time of his death.
The family did initially have a celebration of life planned for June 5, 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to delays and the decision to reschedule.
The memorial prayer is open to anyone and the family is welcoming the community.
"We hope you will join us in celebrating Samwel's remarkable life and the cherished memories we hold," the family stated. "Your presence would mean a great deal to us."
Uko played minor football for the Abbotsford Falcons, before starring on both the Abbotsford Panthers junior and senior varsity football teams. He helped the juniors win a provincial title in his Grade 10 year and led the seniors to the AA provincial final in his Grade 12 year. He was also named both the offensive most valuable player and the conference MVP in Grade 12.
He played one year with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and also played one season with the Langley Rams of the Canadian Junior Football League.
Uko's family spoke out early about how they felt the hospital and the Saskatchewan Health Authority let Samwel down. They believe that race – Uko is black – also played a factor in the way he was treated.
Uko requested that his cousin take him to Regina General Hospital on the morning of May 21, 2020 after he was experiencing mental health issues. A nurse at Regina General Hospital told the cousin he could not accompany Uko inside the hospital due to COVID-19 restrictions.
A doctor at RGH then diagnosed Uko with depression and referred him to a mental health clinic. Uko was in contact with a mental health worker later that morning and booked an appointment with a psychiatrist within a week. He was also told that he should contact a community outreach and support team or go back to the emergency room if he felt worse.
Uko began suffering again from mental health issues at around 5 p.m. later that day and was taken to RGH for the second time, this time by the police. Shortly after arriving at RGH he was escorted out of the hospital by security for not being able to provide his name and other information.
Social media videos shared by Uko at that time show someone in a great deal of distress. He was dragged away by security while screaming for help.
His lifeless body was then discovered in the lake that evening at around 7:30 p.m.
The story received national coverage after his family spoke out about what they stated was his mistreatment at RGH. By June 3, 2020, the SHA’s CEO, Scott Livingstone, announced that a policy change had been made that a family member or support person will be allowed for those seeking help. Livingstone later said that the new policy change was not related to Uko’s death.
A public inquiry related to Uko's death was held in June of 2022 and that saw a jury of six people make a list of 20 recommendations to the SHA on ways it can improve care following his death. The jurors took four hours of deliberation to come up with the recommendations following five days of discussion at a hotel in Regina.
Here is the full list of 20 recommendations that a jury of six told @SaskHealth during a public inquiry related to the death of #Abbotsford's Samwel Uko. The former @AbbyPanthers star died in Wascana Lake on May 21, 2020. More to come pic.twitter.com/VKC6uIAd9h
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) June 8, 2022
The list of recommendations included incorporating regular staff huddles and meetings on patient-dignity, updated training on mental health care to all staff, including non-medical staff, all staff trained on de-escalation tactics, re-thinking the layout of the emergency room and SHA taking steps to ensure the correct number and type of staff available (including a police officer and psychiatric nurse available 24/7).
The Uko family has launched a civil suit against the SHA, but that case has not yet been heard.
