Angry Mpigi mob kills two suspected robbers

By Simon Ssekidde

MPIGI - An irate mob has killed two of three men caught reportedly breaking into shops in Katende zone, Mpigi district, local police say.

The third man, who survived the night attack but with grave injuries, was later taken to Mulago hospital in Kampala for medical attention.

District police commander Julius Ahimbisibwe said the mob descended on the suspected robbers after an alarm was sounded.

New Vision understands it was a larger group – about 12 – but the locals managed to get a hold of only three.

One of them was lucky to survive the fate that befell his two accomplices.

Witnesses talked of a group of thieves who go around breaking into shops and people’s homes in the area.

On the night of the mob attack, a trader is said to have raised an alarm when he reportedly heard people breaking into his shop. Immediately, a group of locals came to the rescue, but only managing to catch three out of a fairly larger gang.

The others fled, leaving their colleagues to face the wrath of the residents.

The angry mob beat the men using big sticks and stones that left two fatally wounded. The lone survivor was spared death but with serious injuries, thanks to the eventual arrival of a team of local police led by Rose Natukunda, the district CIID officer.

But they were not in time to save the other two men, whose corpses they carried onto the police patrol vehicle. The injured suspect was taken to Mulago Hospital.

No arrests were made over the mob justice although DPC Ahimbisibwe condemned the locals' decision to take the law into their own hands.

Investigation into the incident is under way, he said.