Goat thief beaten to death in Gulu

A habitual goat thief has been beaten to death by an irate mob in a remote village in Gulu district.

This time, Ojok Michael was caught red-handed with two stolen goals belonging to 57-year-old Okot Solomon.

Angry residents then pounced on the 29-year-old man, beating him badly. He succumbed to severe injuries moments later.

The incident happened Tuesday late night in the sub-county of Lalogi. According to the Gulu officer in charge of crime, James Asubu, Ojok died at about 10pm.

"He was being taken to Lalogi police post by the very mob that had beaten him up but he did not make it. He died along the way.

"We are looking for those who took the law into their own hands to claim a life," said Asubu.

The police OC said that although Ojok's relatives admitted that he was a "nagging goat thief" in the neigbourhood, those who participated in causing his death will be arrested and charged with murder.

"Mob justice is not acceptable in our criminal justice system in this modern era. If the Lalogi mob thought goat theft was bad enough to warrant human death, they will soon learn that murder is a greater crime," said Asubu.