Police in Mityana District have launched investigations into a mob action that resulted in the death of a suspected motorcycle thief in Zigoti Town Council.
The deceased, identified as Bruno Ssekito , 36, a resident of Kabagolo A village in Kikonge Parish, was reportedly attacked early this morning after allegedly attempting to steal a motorcycle from Buwalula Trading Centre along the Kampala Mityana road.
According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred at around 6:00am when the suspect was noticed during the attempted theft.
He was pursued by a group of boda boda riders and local residents who followed him to Mabuye-Kabalungi village, where he was eventually apprehended.
Efforts by local leadership to calm the situation and ensure the suspect was handed over to authorities were unsuccessful.
“The village chairperson tried to intervene and rescue the suspect, but the crowd could not be restrained,” said Wamala Region Police Spokesperson SSP Lameck Kigozi.
The chairperson later reported the matter to Zigoti Police Station, prompting officers to respond. However, by the time police arrived, the situation had already escalated.
“Our officers responded to the scene, but unfortunately found that the suspect had already died. His body had been set on fire, and those involved had fled,” SSP Kigozi confirmed.
Police also noted that the motorcycle believed to have been at the center of the incident was taken away from the scene by unidentified individuals.
The body of the deceased has since been transferred to Mityana General Hospital for a postmortem examination as investigations continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those involved.
Authorities have strongly cautioned the public against taking the law into their own hands, emphasizing that such actions undermine justice and due process.
“We urge members of the public to always hand over suspects to police instead of resorting to mob action,” Kigozi said. “Everyone deserves a fair hearing under the law.”
Police also used the incident to caution individuals against engaging in criminal activities, warning of the serious consequences involved.
“We continue to advise especially the youth to avoid crime. It can lead to loss of life or long-term legal consequences,” he added.
The case remains under active investigation as police work to bring those responsible for the unlawful act to account.