Men lynched over cattle thefts

Sep 07, 2009

THREE suspected cattle thieves were lynched by an angry mob in Naboa sub-county, Budaka district on Wednesday.

By Daniel Edyegu
and Paul Watala

THREE suspected cattle thieves were lynched by an angry mob in Naboa sub-county, Budaka district on Wednesday.

The regional Police spokesman, Iddi Ssenkumbi, said Shaban Namwiya died of his injuries, while Fred Luwe, Shaka Mulamoji and Majidu Waswa were arrested on suspicion of having stolen 13 cattle from Namukonge village in Kaliro district.

Ssenkumbi said the Police acted on a tip-off from Kaliro Police and set up road blocks along Tirinyi highway and Iganga Bugiri road.

Ssenkumbi said the suspects, who were transporting the animals on a truck, were stopped at the road block in Naboa for interrogation but attempted to flee’ attracting the mob.

“During the interrogation, the truck driver sensed danger and drove off with his accomplices towards Butebo sub-county in Pallisa,” Ssenkumbi said.

“They were later trapped at Butebo Medium Wave Transmitter, where they attempted to flee, but were lynched by a mob,” he added.

By the time the Police arrived, the truck had already been set ablaze, but they managed to rescue Waswa and Buyinza, but Namwiya had already died, Ssenkumbi said.

The suspects were detained at Pallisa Police station and charged with cattle theft.

The regional spokesman condemned the lynching but placed part of the blame on the suspects for fleeing during the interrogation.

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