THE police in Tororo are holding a man suspected to have killed another by twisting his neck for smoking a cigarette in a pub.
Julius Opondo, nicknamed Kassim Ouma (a Ugandan international boxer), was arrested over the death of Desiderio Okecho. This followed the 7:00pm brawl at Sony Ogwang Zone in Wawulere Market, Nagongera sub- county in Tororo district on Wednesday.
Opondo grabbed Okecho after accusing him of smoking in their midst at a drinking place selling waragi, a local potent gin.
A postmortem report indicated that Okecho’s neck was broken.
District Police commander Venn Gaudencio Okumu said Opondo was being held at Tororo Central police Station pending prosecution.
A witness said the victim pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it among revellers at the makeshift pub.
“Opondo asked him to go and smoke from outside, accusing him of polluting the air. But Okecho refused, insisting that it was his right to smoke. A row then ensued between the two.
“The enraged Opondo rose out of his seat, grabbed the victim’s head and twisted it.
“Okecho slumped off the bench and fell down. Opondo attempted to flee, but was arrested by revellers and handed over to Nagongera police post,” the witness narrated.
The Police, who have rounded up several suspects, said they were grappling with an increase in mob justice in the eastern district.
