Suspected matooke thief lynched in Mbale city

The police in Mbale City’s Northern Division are hunting for a man suspected to have led a mob that lynched a 33-year-old resident.

The deceased has been identified as Simon Wamala, a resident of Kasanvu Cell, Nkoma Ward in Northern Division.

According to Rogers Taitika, Elgon Region Police spokesperson, Wamala is alleged to have stolen a bunch of bananas from a garden belonging to a resident identified only as Wahabu.

Taitika explained that Wahabu, together with a group of unidentified people, reportedly beat Wamala and later abandoned him by the roadside in critical condition. He was rushed to Mbale regional referral hospital for treatment, but later succumbed to his injuries.

Police say Wamala’s brother, Pius Martin, reported the matter as a case of mob justice and murder. Investigations are underway to track down Wahabu and his accomplices. Taitika strongly condemned the act of mob justice, stressing that police are optimistic about arresting the suspects to face murder charges.