Suspected chicken thief hacked in Mukono, set ablaze alive

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Tension and fear engulfed Ntulumuko Village in Namuyenje Parish, Mukono district, after a member of the local Parish Development Model (PDM) committee allegedly hacked a suspected chicken thief before setting him on fire.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened on Sunday evening at the home of Christopher Yiga, a PDM committee member in Ntulumuko village. Witnesses said the unidentified victim cried out in agony as flames consumed him alive.

Police said Yiga tied the victim’s hands with ropes believed to have been used in the chicken theft, hacked him repeatedly with a panga, doused him with a flammable substance, before setting him ablaze.

When New Vision visited the scene shortly after the incident, bloodstains were still visible across the floor of the chicken house, while the deceased’s burnt body lay motionless near Yiga’s house.

Police swiftly responded and arrested Yiga over alleged murder. The body transported to Mulago Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

Police recovered a blood-stained panga, pieces of firewood, and other items believed to have been used in the murder. The chicken allegedly stolen by the deceased were also recovered and taken to Mukono Police Station as exhibits.

Police officers holding the chicken which was found besides the deceased. (Photo by Eric Yiga)

The incident has highlighted deep-seated frustration over rampant livestock theft in the area. Several residents who spoke on condition of anonymity said thieves have become increasingly bold, breaking into homes and poultry houses.

“We are begging the police to increase patrols and provide us with security before more people take the law into their own hands,” one of the residents pleaded.

Ntulumuko village Chairperson Robinson Ndimukulaga confirmed that a person had been burned. He also acknowledged that theft of livestock, particularly chicken and goats, has increased significantly in recent months.

Nakisunga sub-county chairperson John Mpanga led a group of leaders in denouncing the act. “While we understand the frustration caused by persistent thefts, we cannot accept people taking the law into their own hands,” Mpanga stated, adding, “This is murder, and it must be condemned in the strongest terms. We shall fully cooperate with police to establish if others were involved.”

Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Recheal Kawala confirmed the arrest of Yiga, saying investigations into the matter were ongoing.

“We are treating this as a case of murder,” Kawala said, adding, “Our officers are working hard to establish the full facts surrounding the killing. We urge the public to remain calm and allow the law to take its course. No one has the right to dispense justice in such a barbaric manner.”

Crime statistics

According to the 2025 annual crime report released in March this year, the number of crimes registered nationwide decreased from 218,715 cases in 2024 to 196,405 cases in 2025.

The crime statistics showed that only 115,301 cases were submitted to the Office of the Director Public Prosecutions, who managed to prosecute a total of 79,291 cases in court involving 99,004 accused persons.

Of the total number of accused persons prosecuted, 31,732 were convicted and sentenced, achieving a conviction rate of 40%; 1,244 of the suspects were acquitted, while 11,340 others were discharged.

A total of 54,688 accused persons are still undergoing trial, while 77,298 cases are still under inquiry. Police said 39,816 cases were not proceeded with, especially those that were civil in nature.