IGANGA, UGANDA: Residents of Nakalama village, Nakalama Sub-county in Iganga district on Thursday turned rowdy and killed suspected motorcycle thieves after trying to grab a motorcycle Bajaj boxer registration number UFR 201K from its rider.
The suspects who lost their lives were identified as Muwaya Robert, 38, and Isabirye Latif Muto, 30, all residents of Busembatya in Bugweri district.
The residents have decried the rampant theft in their area where perpetrators make off with their animals and other belongings including chickens, and motorcycles among others.
Nakalama Sub-county chairperson Kawanguzi Hamidu Salongo says they are more worried about the twist of the matter since they have only been experiencing theft of other things like animals, citing that this will affect mostly those who receive motorcycles on loan.
“We have been facing theft of animals and as leaders and other authorities, we have tried to fight it but it’s unfortunate that again they have twisted by targeting motorcycles. We are worried that people getting these motorcycles on loan are now in danger as they may lose them before paying off the loans,” Mr Kawanguzi said before condemning the act strongly and requesting security to amplify its efforts in the area.
Police in Busoga East Region confirmed the incident saying that investigations have started into the murder of the suspects who were killed by the angry residents.
“We have started investigations into the beating and killing of these two people who were clobbered by locals in Nakalama after trying to steal a motorcycle from its rider. We identified the suspects as Muwaya Robert, 38, and Isabirye Latif Muto, 30, all residents of Busembatya in Bugweri district,” SP Diana Nandawula, Busoga East police spokesperson said.
She added that police tried to save them by responding and taking them to Iganga general hospital but eventually succumbed to the injuries shortly after getting to the health facility.
“Police tried to save them by rushing them to Iganga general hospital but couldn’t survive and they all succumbed to injuries. The motorcycle has been exhibited and is currently being kept at our police station in Nakalama as we wait for the owner to give us more information about this matter,” Nandawula said.
By press time, the bodies were pending postmortem at Iganga Hospital mortuary.
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