Police in Kabale District are investigating the lynching of two unidentified men who were beaten to death by a mob on the morning of September 26, 2024, in Kaliba village, Kaharo Sub-county. The incident occurred around 8:30 am after the two men, along with a third suspect who is still at large, were accused of stealing from a moving truck at Kabaraga Hill the previous night.
According to a statement from ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region police spokesperson, the three men had allegedly stolen items from a lorry in motion on the night of September 25, 2024, and waited in the area for transportation to move their stolen goods. By 7:30 am the next day, local residents became suspicious of the trio when they could not explain their presence in the area or account for the property they had in their possession.
When confronted by the locals, the men attempted to flee. However, two of them were caught by the angry residents in Kaliba village, where they were brutally beaten to death. The third suspect managed to escape and is currently being sought by police.
The Officer-in-Charge of Kaharo Police Station, upon receiving information about the mob justice, registered the case as murder by mob. He immediately notified the Kabale District CID officer, who, along with the homicide team and scene-of-crime officers, responded to the site. The bodies of the two victims were retrieved and transported to Kabale Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.
ASP Maate strongly condemned the mob action and warned against stealing from moving trucks, noting that such acts often lead to tragic consequences. He also urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, as mob justice will not be tolerated.
Families with missing loved ones have been asked to visit the hospital mortuary to identify the bodies for a proper burial. Investigations into the incident are ongoing as authorities continue their search for the third suspect.
