A suspected cattle thief who had been on the police wanted list was lynched by a mob after he was allegedly caught fleeing from a home in Nsambya Sub-county, Kyankwanzi District, in the early hours of Saturday.
The incident occurred at about 3am on September 26 in Kyamunali Village after 66-year-old Kennan ask Flavia was awakened by the persistent barking of her dogs.
According to police, Kembabazi looked through her window and saw the dogs chasing a man away from her home. She raised an alarm, prompting neighbours to join the pursuit.
The suspect was intercepted about a kilometre from Kembabazi’s home, where an angry mob descended on him and beat him to death.
At the time of the attack, the man had not yet been identified.
Police said five goats were later discovered missing from Kembabazi’s goat house. One of the goats, a white one, was recovered tied up in a bush along the Katugo-Mumbali Road.
Investigators also found boda boda tyre marks near the area, raising suspicion that the stolen animals may have been transported on a motorcycle.
A report of the mob killing was made at Kyankwanzi Police Station at about 7:50am by Wilson Kalule. The police homicide team visited the scene, documented evidence and recorded statements from witnesses.
The deceased was taken to the mortuary at Ntwetwe Health Centre IV for examination.
Police later identified the man as Dasuma Stephen, also known as John, who had been wanted at Kyankwanzi Police Station in connection with cattle theft cases.
Wamala Region police spokesman Lameck Kigozi said Dasuma had been on the police wanted list over a case in which charges had been sanctioned under file number KYZ CRB 435/2026.
Kigozi condemned the killing, warning that mob justice denies suspects the opportunity to face due process and can result in the death of people before their cases are properly established.
“We condemn the act of mob justice in our communities and appeal to our people to always hand over criminals to police so that they can be processed and taken to court,” Kigozi said.
He also urged residents to strengthen security around their homes, particularly those keeping valuable livestock.
Kigozi said Kembabazi’s dogs played an important role in alerting her to the suspected intrusion and urged other livestock owners to consider similar measures to protect their animals.
The killing has once again brought attention to the dangers of mob justice in rural communities, where suspicion of theft can quickly trigger violent retaliation before police have an opportunity to investigate and make arrests.
Police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the theft and the mob killing are continuing.
Mpigi High Court stakeholders call for stronger coordination to speed up justice
Justice sector stakeholders in the Mpigi High Court Circuit have called for stronger coordination, timely communication and shared responsibility to...
