A horrifying case of mob justice unfolded yesterday in Namemgo village, Budaka Town Council, where an unidentified man was brutally lynched by an angry mob. The deceased, whose identity remains unknown, was accused of being a thief before being beaten to death, with his body left abandoned along the Entebbe Road leading to Butaleja.
According to eyewitnesses, the victim was seen walking along the Entebbe Road on the evening of April 29, 2025, wearing green gumboots and carrying a panga (machete). His appearance reportedly aroused suspicion among locals, who quickly labeled him a criminal. Without any formal investigation or evidence, a group of individuals took the law into their own hands, attacking him and leaving him dead by the roadside.
Wilfred Kyapasa, the acting police spokesperson for the Bukedi North region, confirmed the incident, stating that a team of officers from Budaka Central Police Station (CPS) Homicide Unit swiftly responded to the scene.
“Our officers documented the crime scene, took photographs, and retrieved the body, which has been transferred to Budaka Health Centre IV for a post-mortem examination,” Kyapasa said.
Authorities have strongly condemned the act of mob justice, emphasising that such actions not only violate the law but also obstruct proper investigations.
“Mob justice is a criminal act that denies suspects the right to a fair hearing and often leads to the death of innocent people,” Kyapasa stated. “We urge the public to report suspicious individuals to the police instead of resorting to violence.”
Police further warned that those involved in the lynching could face murder charges if identified and apprehended.
This incident highlights the growing trend of mob justice in Uganda, where frustrated citizens, often distrustful of the judicial system, resort to extrajudicial killings. Local leaders in Budaka have expressed concern over the increasing cases of vigilante violence, calling for community sensitization on legal procedures.
“Taking the law into one’s hands only breeds more violence and lawlessness,” said a local council representative. “We must work with security agencies to ensure justice is served properly.”
Police have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators involved in the lynching. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to identify the deceased, with authorities appealing to anyone with missing relatives matching the description to come forward.
The body remains at Budaka Health Center IV as investigations continue.
This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of mob justice. While crime remains a pressing issue, unlawful executions only perpetuate cycles of violence. Authorities continue to urge the public to trust legal processes and report crimes through proper channels.
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