Angry mob lynches suspected thief in Ssembabule

A 28-year-old man from Ssembabule District was brutally beaten by an angry mob in Lukuuku Village, Butenga Subcounty, after he was caught in the act of burglary.

The suspect, initially identified as Muhammad Ssemanda but later as Shakur Kakooza, was severely assaulted after he and his accomplice allegedly broke into a house in broad daylight and stole various household items.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has left residents both relieved and concerned as thefts in the area have become increasingly rampant.

According to reports, Kakooza and his accomplice, identified as Moses, had been monitoring the movements of their target, a local resident named Molly Kiseka.

Armed with a hammer, the suspects allegedly began digging a hole into Kiseka's house and used six-inch nails to force their way in, stealing several items, including a TV set and a woofer.

However, their brazen robbery was interrupted when a vigilant resident noticed the unusual activity and raised the alarm, drawing the attention of other villagers.

Moses  managed to flee the scene with some of the stolen goods, but Kakooza was apprehended by the furious residents.

The mob quickly surrounded Kakooza and began beating him mercilessly with sticks. Fearing for his life, Kakooza confessed to being part of a larger gang terrorizing the region.

He named several accomplices, including Moses, Isa, Muhammad, and Wasswa, and revealed that stolen items were taken to Nyendo, a town in Masaka City, where they were sold to a man named Faisal Ssemanda, who allegedly runs a shop dealing in stolen electronics.

The confession has alarmed authorities and residents alike, highlighting a wider network of criminals operating across multiple districts, including Masaka, Kalungu, Sembabule, and Bukomansimbi.

Lukuuku Village has seen a rise in theft-related incidents in recent months, with livestock theft becoming especially rampant.

"Theft is getting out of hand here," said Yasin Wanimba, the village's vice chairperson.

"People are afraid to leave their homes, and even our animals are not safe. It’s affecting our ability to develop as a community."

Shortly after the mob attack, police officers arrived at the scene to rescue Kakooza, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after their arrival.

Southern Regional Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed Kakooza's death and assured that authorities are taking the matter seriously.

"We are investigating the entire gang and their connections. We have strong leads and will ensure that all those involved in these criminal acts are arrested and prosecuted," Kasirye said.

Police are also intensifying their search for Moses, who remains on the run, and are investigating Faisal Ssemanda, suspected of purchasing and reselling the stolen goods.

During his confession, Kakooza provided shocking details about the gang’s operations, explaining that they targeted villages where residents were absent, using hammers and nails to break into homes and steal valuables.

He claimed he turned to theft as a means of survival after failing to find honest work.

Bukomansimbi Deputy RDC Fred Kalema Pax condemned the act of mob justice and urged residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

"I understand the anger, but we must not resort to violence. Leave the work of law enforcement to the police. Vigilante justice only leads to more harm," Kalema said.

The police reiterated their warning to residents to report suspected criminals rather than attacking them and assured the community that further arrests would be made, and all those involved in the thefts would be brought to justice.

Kalema also urged the thieves to abandon their criminal ways, warning that such behavior often leads to tragic outcomes.