Man Beaten to Death Over Theft of Coffee, Groundnuts

The 30-year-old, a resident of Mulika Igoza village in Nyamarwa Sub-county, Kibaale District, was allegedly a notorious thief and part of a gang known for using firearms to rob locals.

Police in Kakumiro District have launched investigations into the brutal killing of Hamis Mawejje, who was beaten to death by a mob in Kyampuni Kihumuro village, Kisengwe Sub-county.

Mawejje was accused of stealing coffee and groundnuts from a local store.

The 30-year-old, a resident of Mulika Igoza village in Nyamarwa Sub-county, Kibaale District, was allegedly a notorious thief and part of a gang known for using firearms to rob locals.

After being caught, he was tied up, beaten, and his body dumped by the roadside.

Soweto Mukwaya, an uncle to the deceased, admitted that Mawejje had been a habitual thief despite efforts to reform him.

“As his uncle, I am very aware he has been a thief. I told him to stop, but he refused and instead joined a gang that uses guns. Killing him is fine because he might have come for me next,” Mukwaya said.

Gabriel Baguma, the chairman of Mulika Igoza village, also expressed relief over Mawejje's death, claiming he had been a menace to the community.

“He trained young boys in the habit of stealing. Whenever people saw Mawejje, they knew something would go missing at night. If his death brings peace to this community, so be it,” Baguma stated.

Residents of Mulika village celebrated Mawejje’s death, viewing it as a turning point for their safety.

“It had become hard for us to walk at night. Now, we can sleep, eat, and drink in peace knowing he is gone,” said Johnson Kakembo, a local resident.

Albertine Region Police Spokesperson Julius Hakiza confirmed the killing but condemned the mob’s actions.

“People are not the police or the courts. When someone is a suspect, report them and let the law take its course. We cannot allow people to take the law into their own hands,” Hakiza warned.

Police are currently investigating the individuals involved in Mawejje’s killing.

Mawejje’s body was retrieved by relatives and taken to Mulika village, Nyamarwa Sub-county, for burial preparations.