By Alfred Opio
Police in Uganda Police Force are investigating a suspected case of mob justice following the death of a 40-year-old man who was allegedly beaten by residents over accusations of livestock theft in Butebo District.
The incident occurred on February 22, 2026, at about 3:30pm in Bulalaka Village, Nasenyi Parish, Kabwangasi Sub-county, and was registered under CRB 015/2026 at Kabwangasi Police Station.
The deceased has been identified as Yokana Seku, a 40-year-old farmer and resident of Bulalaka Village.
According to police, the matter was reported at around 5:39pm by Hussien Onyait, a 64-year-old peasant and resident of the same village.
Preliminary investigations indicate that on the night of February 20, unknown individuals stole three goats belonging to Lorna Musibika of Kigwere Village. The theft was reported at Kabwangasi Police Station under SD reference 16/21/2/2026.
On February 22, detectives from Kabwangasi Police Station, accompanied by a canine unit from Kibuku, visited the scene to track the suspects. Police said the sniffer dog first led officers to a site where the goats had allegedly been slaughtered before tracing a trail to the home of the deceased. However, Seku was not present at the time.
Officers later withdrew from the area.
Police reports indicate that shortly after the team left, members of the community mobilized, searched for the suspect, and allegedly assaulted him upon finding him, accusing him of involvement in the theft.
Local leaders intervened and rushed the injured man to Kabwangasi Health Centre III for treatment. He later succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack.
Police have since opened a murder case and transported the body for a postmortem examination. Statements, including that of the deceased’s brother, have been recorded to support ongoing investigations.
Wilfred Kyempasa, the Bukedi North Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident and cautioned the public against taking the law into their own hands.
“Mob justice is illegal and only complicates investigations. We urge communities to report suspects to security agencies and allow the law to take its course,” he said.
Inquiries into the matter are ongoing as authorities work to identify those involved in the assault.
