Suspected thief beaten to death by Kwania mob

KWANIA - A young man was beaten to death in a violent scuffle in Kwania district after being accused of theft.

According to North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema, police registered a case of suspected murder by mob justice.

The deceased, identified as Ronald Atim, 25, of Anywargiki Village, Iwal Parish, Atongtidi Sub-County, was killed on the evening of Monday, 10th March. 

Okema stated Atim was suspected of stealing a bicycle, a mattress, and a metallic box containing money, and allegedly attacked his father and other family members while wielding a machete and threatening them.

It is alleged that when the relatives quizzed him about the missing money, he threatened them. Fearing to be overpowered, he reportedly turned his wrath to other people walking past the homestead.

A scuffle ensured when Atim then confronted three unidentified men on a motorcycle. A large crowd that gathered overpowered him and beat him to death.

Criminal history and public warning

Preliminary findings by the police indicate that the deceased had recently served seven months in prison for theft and had been released just three weeks ago.

The police have urged individuals with a history of crime to seek opportunities for rehabilitation through government programs such as Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Programme, rather than returning to crime.

Additionally, law enforcement authorities have strongly advised the public against taking the law into their own hands.

Mob justice statistics

According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2024, there were 1,016 reported cases of murder by mob action in 2024, a slight decrease from 1,039 cases in 2023.

Victims of mob justice were mainly suspected of crimes such as: theft, robbery, murder, witchcraft and burglary.

The Albertine Region recorded the highest number of mob justice cases in 2024, with 73 cases, followed by North Kyoga, which registered 71 cases.