Kitagwenda: Suspected thief dies after violent confrontation with farmer
Police in Kitagwenda District have kicked off investigations into the death of a 26-year-old man suspected of stealing matoke, who lost his life after a confrontation with a local farmer turned deadly.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. yesterday when Godfrey Twinomugisha, a resident of Nyaruzinga Cell in Bwera Parish, Kicheche Sub-County, allegedly attempted to steal matoke from a plantation owned by Francis Azairwe.
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The Kitagwenda District Police Commander (DPC), ASP Bashir Bakulumpagi, confirmed that Twinomugisha was reportedly caught with a cut cluster of matoke from Azairwe’s farm.
Azairwe, seeking to apprehend him, confronted Twinomugisha, who was allegedly armed with a panga. The situation quickly spiraled into a violent encounter.
"Azairwe claimed he caught the suspect red-handed and tried to apprehend him," ASP Bakulumpagi explained.
"But when Twinomugisha resisted arrest, the confrontation escalated. In the heat of the moment, Azairwe reportedly used a panga to subdue the suspect, resulting in a tragic loss of life."
ASP Bakulumpagi condemned the violent outcome, emphasizing that such incidents underscore the need for citizens to seek assistance from authorities rather than taking matters into their own hands.
“It’s truly unfortunate that lives are being lost due to unresolved conflicts that could have been managed through legal means," he said.
"If Azairwe had reached out to the police, we could have handled this incident without any bloodshed."
The DPC further advised locals to avoid engaging directly with suspected criminals, as confrontations can often lead to unintended consequences.
"We strongly encourage community members to avoid putting themselves at risk by engaging with potentially dangerous individuals," ASP Bakulumpagi added.
The police commander also appealed to residents to adhere to lawful procedures in addressing criminal activities in their communities.
"Our role as law enforcement is to maintain safety and uphold justice. We urge everyone to support us by reporting suspicious behavior and letting the police handle the situation," he emphasized.
As the investigation continues, police are expected to provide further details once a full report on the incident is compiled, hoping to clarify the tragic events that unfolded in Kitagwenda and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Following the incident, Twinomugisha’s body was transported to Ruhoko Health Centre IV for a postmortem examination
