Police in Hima Division, Kasese District, have launched investigations into the suspected mob killing of a 20-year-old man in Rugendabara-Kikongo Town Council. The deceased, identified as Wisborn Mumbere, was a resident of Sayuni Central Cell, Kihogo Ward.
According to police, Mumbere left his home at about 2:00 a.m. to attend a funeral within his community. While on his way, he was allegedly mistaken for a thief by members of the public, who attacked him and inflicted severe injuries.
His parents rushed him to Rukoki Hospital for treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on Tuesday.
The incident was initially registered as a case of assault at Rugendabara-Kikongo Police Station. However, following Mumbere’s death, police have reclassified the case as murder, saying preliminary findings indicate he was the victim of mob justice.
Rwenzori East Regional Police spokesperson Elly Maate said investigators are working to identify and arrest those responsible. He added that police are also making arrangements to exhume the body for a postmortem examination to support the ongoing investigations.
Maate appealed to residents to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, emphasising that anyone suspected of committing a crime should be handed over to the police for lawful investigation and prosecution.
The latest killing is the second suspected mob justice incident reported in Rugendabara-Kikongo Town Council in less than two weeks. Last week, 28-year-old Muhammad Mande was lynched after residents allegedly accused him and others of theft-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
