The Uganda Police is deeply concerned about the ongoing incidents of mob justice and urges the public to uphold the principle of presumption of innocence for suspects and to allow the opportunity for conducting proper interrogations.
The warning follows rising incidents of mob justice in different parts of the country.
ACP Kituuma Rusoke, PRO- Police revealed that on August 13, 2024, in Kijungu Cell, Kakoba Ward, Kakoba Division, Mbarara City, a man named Ddungu Amidu was lynched by a mob after he was found in possession of two stolen and slaughtered goats. Police arrived at the scene, collected the body, and transported it to Mbarara Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Rusoke added that on August 14, 2024, between 1:30 am and 4:00 am in Kibubu Village, Buikwe District, five suspects—Sunday Swaleh Ricky, John (now deceased), Fahad, Emma, and Shadrach Magere—were allegedly involved in the theft of two cows. While transporting the meat on two motorcycles, one of which was registered as UXZ 656P, they experienced a puncture and stopped at Metha Sugarcane Plantation. Observers became suspicious of their gunny bags, believing they contained stolen items. When approached for questioning, the suspects fled into the plantation, prompting a chase by the crowd, which resulted in the arrest of two individuals: the deceased John and Shadrach Magere.
“They were beaten by the mob, but police intervened and rushed them to Kawolo Hospital, where unfortunately, John succumbed to his injuries. The mob continued to search for the remaining suspects, even setting fires in an attempt to flush them out. Sunday Swaleh Ricky was eventually cornered and sought refuge with police officers, leading to his arrest and subsequent detention at CPS Lugazi,” he said.
He added that on the same day, at approximately 5:00 am in Naziga Cell, Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso District, a man named Sekamate John was attacked by a mob that suspected him of theft. Sekamate was found in possession of a hammer and other tools commonly used for breaking and entering. The police intervened to rescue him from being lynched and quickly transported him to Mulago Hospital for medical treatment.
In the Elgon Region, police say they recorded another incident of mob justice. On August 16, 2024, a case was reported to the police involving mob action on Kufu Bukaweka Road in Muki Village, Habutola Sub-County, Manafwa District.
“It is alleged that the deceased, Edwin James Wamutibi, a 30-year-old resident of Bumwangu Ward in Manafwa Town Council, stole a motorcycle with registration number KMFB 463F from Namisindwa District and attempted to sell it to an individual known as Matembu. The motorcycle was being sold at Malwa Joint, owned by Walter Wamagale, a local councilor. While the buyer and seller were negotiating, the rightful owners of the motorcycle, who had been tracking Wamutibi, confronted him. Upon seeing the owners, Wamutibi fled, abandoning the motorcycle,” he reported.
The crowd that had been pursuing him chased him to Kufu along Bukhaweka Road, where he was stoned to death. His body was later found lying by the roadside. After the attack, the assailants fled the scene, leaving the motorcycle behind. The police transported the body to the mortuary in Mbale City and seized the motorcycle as evidence. Investigations are ongoing.
