A tragic incident occurred on January 21, 2025, when a suspected thief met a brutal end at the hands of an angry mob in Kihembe Sub County, Kanungu District.
The suspect, identified only as Joseph, a 35-year-old man whose exact residence remains unclear, was accused of breaking into the home of Bajumwa Beatrice and stealing UGX 300,000.
The theft took place at around 2:00 PM, and a swift alarm was raised, alerting nearby residents, including army officers on guard duty.
The suspect was apprehended and handed over to the local leadership, represented by the LC1 Chairperson of Kihembe Central, Mr. Kazoba Frank. However, as the situation escalated, the crowd overpowered the authorities, and the mob forcefully seized control of the suspect.
In an act of fury, the mob lynched the suspect, taking matters into their own hands with deadly consequences. To make matters worse, after killing him, the mob mutilated his body, cutting it into small pieces.
The police responded to the scene promptly. ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi region police spokesperson, confirmed that the scene was processed and documented.
The body was subsequently transported to Kanungu Katate Health Centre IV for a postmortem examination.
Authorities are currently conducting investigations, gathering witness statements, and piecing together evidence in an effort to identify and apprehend those responsible for the suspect’s gruesome death. As of now, no arrests have been made.
The police have vowed to continue their inquiries into the matter, promising that those involved in the mob justice will be brought to justice.
The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding mob violence and the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands rather than trusting the authorities
