Police in Rubanda District are investigating an incident in which angry residents set two motorcycles ablaze after suspecting that it was carrying cattle thieves terrorising the area.
The incident occurred at about 2am on October 14 at Rwamiganda Village, Mpungu Parish, Hamurwa Sub-county, according to the police.
In a statement, Kigezi Region Police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime said the residents intercepted the motorcycles on suspicion that its occupants were involved in cattle thefts in the area.
However, before police arrived at the scene, the angry residents set the motorcycles on fire, burning it beyond recognition.
Police recovered the wreckage and are holding it as an exhibit to aid investigations.
No death was reported in the incident.
SP Tumushime condemned the act of mob justice and urged residents to desist from taking the law into their own hands, regardless of their suspicions.
He advised members of the public to apprehend anyone suspected of committing a crime and hand them over to police for appropriate legal action.
Police have intensified investigations to identify and arrest both the suspected cattle thieves and the residents who participated in burning the motorcycle.
CUE IN SP TUMUSHIME…ON THE MATTER…RR/ENG//
