Lira, Uganda: The Territorial Police in Lira District are holding five suspects in custody for connection with the mob killing of a 28-year-old man accused of stealing goats in Okeno Village, Agweng Sub-county.
The deceased, identified as Otodi Solomon, a resident of Okeno Village in Angolocom Parish, died after being beaten by clan leaders following accusations of theft, according to North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson SP Patrick Jimmy Okema.
According to SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Police Spokesperson, preliminary findings indicate that the incident happened at around 12:30 am on Wednesday, October 1, when a resident, Ayugi Rose Ogwang, allegedly heard her goats making unusual noise.
On checking, she discovered two goats missing and noticed a motorcycle speeding away. She raised an alarm, attracting residents who pursued the motorcycle. During the chase, one goat fell off and was confirmed by the owner as hers.
At about 5 am, clan leaders of the Ogora clan reportedly arrested Otodi, interrogated him, and he allegedly confessed to stealing the goats, saying he had taken one to Ayeni Sam of Alenga Village.
Angered by the confession, the clan leaders allegedly beat him until he sustained serious injuries that later claimed his life. The LC1 chairperson of Okeno Village, Ocen Augustine, later reported the matter to Agweng Town Council Police Station, where a case of mob action leading to murder was registered.
Police visited and documented the scene with the help of the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO), and statements were recorded from relevant witnesses. The body of the deceased was conveyed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.
The suspects arrested to aid investigations include the goat owner Ayugi Rose Ogwang, three clan leaders – Okec Martin, Otim Bosco, and Omara Santao – as well as the deceased’s father, Minyang Francis.
Police condemned the act, describing it as “unfortunate,” and urged the public to respect the rule of law by reporting suspected criminals to relevant authorities instead of resorting to mob justice.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
