A 28-year-old man has died after he was allegedly lynched by an angry mob in Kasese District in another case of mob justice that police have condemned.
The deceased, identified as Muhammad Mande, a resident of Nyakabale Village in Kitswamba Sub-county, was attacked alongside Abdallah Thembo on Wednesday morning in Sayuni Central Cell, Rugendabara Ward, Kikongo Town Council.
The two men were accused by members of the public of being thieves.
According to police, officers from Kitswamba Police Station responded after receiving reports of the attack and found the two men being assaulted by a mob.
Thembo was rescued and taken to safety, but Mande died from his injuries while being transported to a health facility.
His body was later taken to Kasese Municipal Council Mortuary for a postmortem examination as investigations into the incident continue.
Rwenzori East Regional Police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate said police have launched a manhunt for suspects linked to the killing.
"The police at Kitswamba Police Station were informed and rushed to the scene. They found two men being beaten badly. Thembo Abdallah was rescued, but Mande Muhammad died while being put on the police vehicle," Maate said.
Maate condemned the continued cases of mob justice, warning that members of the public who attack suspected criminals risk prosecution.
"People should desist from acts of lawlessness because the law provides for how suspected persons are supposed to be arrested and handed over to the relevant authorities for prosecution," he said.
Police said investigations are ongoing and efforts are underway to identify and arrest all individuals involved in the fatal assault.
The incident adds to growing concerns over mob justice in the Rwenzori region, where security authorities have repeatedly urged residents to report suspected criminals to police instead of taking the law into their own hands.
Authorities have reiterated that every suspect is entitled to due process under the law, regardless of the allegations against them.
