Man, 22, lynched by mob over suspected theft of cattle

Palissa, (UG):- A horrific incident unfolded in Kasok Village, Kamuge Sub-County, Pallisa, as one Okanya Nathan Junior, fell victim to a fatal lynching by an enraged mob.

The 22-year-old Itesot peasant, hailing from Odukulo Village, Okalatcha Parish, Opwateta Sub-County in Pallisa District, met a gruesome end on the 16th of May, 2024, at approximately 12:50 PM.

The chain of events leading to this heinous crime began when Odengel Stephen, a resident of Odukulo Village, reported the theft of his cow on the 13th of May, 2024, at Kibaale Police Post. In response to the report, the police initiated an investigation, deploying a canine unit to track down the stolen animal.

Following the trail, law enforcement officers arrived at Okanya’s residence in Odukulo Village but found him absent at the time.

Despite their departure, an enraged local community embarked on a relentless pursuit of Okanya until they tragically located him at Kasok Village, Kamuge Sub-County, where their anger culminated in an act of vigilante violence, claiming Okanya’s life.

The Acting Regional Police Spokesperson in North Bukedi, SP Samuel Semewo said police swiftly responded to the scene, discovering Okanya’s lifeless body lying in a chilling pool of blood, bearing multiple cuts.

“The crime scene was meticulously documented by diligent investigators, including the District Criminal Investigations and Detectives’ Office (D/CIDO) and the Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO),” he said, adding that “Okanya’s body was subsequently transferred to the Pallisa Health Centre IV for a thorough postmortem examination.”

As the investigation intensifies, law enforcement authorities have recovered significant pieces of evidence, including large sticks and stones believed to have been used during the savage attack.

By press time, DailyExpress established that no suspects had been apprehended yet, but the police are actively engaged in efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Mr Semewo, however, expressed deep concern over the incident and emphasized that inquiries and investigations are underway to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Okanya’s brutal murder.

“The police are resolute in their pursuit of justice, leaving no stone unturned to identify and apprehend those responsible for this shocking act of vigilantism,” he emphasized.

The tragic demise of Okanya Nathan Junior serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by mob justice, highlighting the urgent need for communities to rely on the rule of law and due process.

And as the Bukedi North Region mourns this loss, it is a call upon us all to stand united in ensuring that such acts of violence are met with swift and severe consequences.