Lira, Uganda | Police in Lira District are holding five people in connection with the mob killing of a 28-year-old man accused of stealing goats in Okeno Village, Agweng Sub-county.
The deceased was identified as Otodi Solomon, a resident of Okeno Village in Angolocom Parish, according to North Kyoga regional police spokesperson SP Patrick Jimmy Okema.
Police findings indicate that the incident happened at around 12:30am on October 1 when a resident, Ayugi Rose Ogwang, allegedly heard her goats making unusual noise.
On checking, she discovered that two goats were missing and noticed a motorcycle speeding away.
She raised an alarm which attracted residents who pursued the motorcycle.
During the chase, one goat fell off and the owner confirmed it as hers.
At about 5am, clan leaders of the Ogora clan reportedly arrested Otodi.
They interrogated him and he allegedly confessed to stealing the goats, saying he had taken one of the animals to a man identified as Ayeni Sam of Alenga Village.
The clan leaders, angered by his confession, beat him until he sustained serious injuries which later claimed his life.
The LC1 chairperson of Okeno Village, Ocen Augustine, later reported the matter to Agweng Town Council Police Station where a case of mob action leading to murder was registered.
Police said the scene of crime was visited and documented with the help of the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO), and statements were recorded from relevant witnesses.
The body of the deceased was conveyed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.
The suspects arrested to aid investigations include the goat owner, Ayugi Rose Ogwang, three clan leaders – Okec Martin, Otim Bosco, and Omara Santao – as well as the deceased’s father, Minyang Francis.
Police described the incident as unfortunate and called on the public and clan leaders to respect the rule of law.
They urged communities to report suspected criminals to the authorities for arrest and prosecution rather than resorting to mob justice.