A 30-year-old man has been killed by a mob in Muko Sub-county, Rubanda District, after he was suspected of stealing eight bags of Irish potatoes valued at Shs 1.8 million.
The deceased, identified as Bruno Tumukunde, and another suspect, Rogers Katusiime (23), both residents of Matakara Village, Ikamiro Parish in Muko Sub-county, allegedly broke into the store of a local businessman, Adoniya Zikereta, on Wednesday evening and stole the potatoes.
According to police reports, at around 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday, the Officer in Charge of Muko Police Station, ASP Mahiirane Vincent, received a phone call from Matakara Village indicating that two suspects had been apprehended and were being severely beaten by a mob.
Police officers rushed to the scene and managed to rescue the suspects, transporting them to Muko Butare Health Centre for medical attention. However, the nurse on duty declined to admit them, citing fear that local residents might storm the facility to finish off the suspects, who were reportedly known habitual offenders.
While police were making arrangements to transfer the suspects to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, they discovered that Tumukunde had died from his injuries.
Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, confirmed that two case files have been opened, one for store-breaking and theft, and another for mob justice resulting in murder. Investigations are currently underway.
Maate also reported that the stolen potato bags were recovered by the complainant and local residents. Tumukunde’s body was transported to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
The second suspect, Katusiime, was released on police bond into the custody of his mother to receive further medical care.
CUE IN MAATE…..ON THE MATTER……..RR/ENG//
