Residents of Kibaliinga Sub-county have beaten to near death a shamba boy who had earlier killed a colleague and injured three others.
Earlier this week, Robert Gumisiriza, allegedly murdered one person and injured three others with a panga.
Following the incident, the locals launched a manhunt in which they arrested Gumisiriza.
According to Kibaliinga Sub-county Chairperson Aron Futumikiza, Gumisiriza had visited a witch doctor seeking wealth.
Upon his return, locals found him performing rituals at a gravesite.
"Last evening, residents caught Gumisiriza at a grave. When they asked what he was doing, he admitted that a witch doctor had instructed him to perform rituals there to gain wealth. However, he later became aggressive and started attacking people with a panga," Futumikiza said.
Futumikiza expressed concern over the increasing cases of witchcraft in Kibaliinga, citing a recent incident.
"Not long ago, a witch doctor instructed a resident to engage in sexual acts with a four-year-old girl as a means to get rich. Fortunately, the community intervened and rescued the child," he added.
"Locals hunted him down and beat him severely. He sustained serious head injuries and was taken to the hospital."
One of the victims, Joseph Tumushabe, recounted his ordeal
"I was on my way home from work when he attacked me. He cut my head and hand with a panga. I am grateful to the doctors at the referral hospital for treating me," Tumushabe said.
Residents are calling on the police to investigate the matter and take action against witchcraft-related violence.
"We need the police to intervene because if someone can attack people like this, it means there is something seriously wrong in our community," a local resident remarked.
Doctors at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital are currently attending to the injured victims.