'Unlawful retaliation': Police probe murder in Nansana

__________________

Police in Wakiso district are investigating a murder in Katooke village, Wamala ward in Nansana Municipality, after a man was beaten to death in what was believed to be a revenge attack.

The incident occurred at 3:00 am on Friday, when three men allegedly attempted to break into a home using ladders.

Residents raised an alarm, capturing one of the suspects while the other two fled. The suspect was beaten to death before police arrived. The case has been registered under Ref SD 03/03/10/2025 at Katooke Police Station.

Police say investigations are ongoing to identify those behind the attack. “This is a classic case of unlawful retaliation. We strongly discourage people from taking the law into their own hands,” said a homicide detective privy to the investigation.

The latest Annual Crime Report (2024) shows that Uganda recorded 1,339 murders by assault and 1,016 by mob action, despite a 4.1% overall crime decline.

The report identifies urban divisions like Kawempe, Katwe, Kira Road, Mukono, and Old Kampala as persistent hotspots for mob violence.

Recently, Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma condemned such acts, calling them a major setback to the rule of law.

“Revenge attacks undermine the justice system and cannot be justified. People must report grievances and suspects through legal channels.”

He added that community policing teams have been instructed to intensify public sensitisation on lawful crime reporting.