Iganga, Uganda: Police in Iganga District are investigating a case of murder by mob action after two unidentified men suspected of motorcycle theft were tracked down and killed by angry residents on Christmas Day.
The incident occurred at Namunkesu LC I Village in Namungalwe Sub-county, where the suspects were intercepted while allegedly attempting to escape with a motorcycle stolen from Mayuge District.
According to Michael Kasadha, the Busoga East Police spokesperson, the suspects had tampered with a tracking device installed by a loan company on the stolen motorcycle, Registration Number UGC 169V.
“Initial findings suggest that today, 25/12/2025, the deceased persons allegedly stole a motorcycle from Mayuge and interfered with its loan company tracking device,” Kasadha said.
Unbeknownst to the suspects, the motorcycle had a second, privately installed tracking device. Using this system, the owner monitored the bike’s movement towards Iganga and alerted fellow boda boda riders.
“The owner, together with other boda boda riders, followed and intercepted the suspects along the Nakalama–Namungalwe road,” Kasadha added.
Police say locals joined the boda boda riders and attacked the suspects with sharp objects before setting them ablaze, even after the pair attempted to flee into a nearby sugarcane plantation.
The Uganda Police Force later registered a case of murder by mob action. The Iganga District Police Commander dispatched officers to the scene, where the bodies were recovered and taken to Iganga General Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination. The stolen motorcycle was also recovered and recorded as an exhibit.
Local leaders condemned the mob killing, noting a spike in theft incidents during the festive season. Nakalama Sub-county Chairperson Kawanguzi Hamidu Ssalongo described the act as unlawful but praised the motorcycle owner’s vigilance.
“We strongly condemn mob justice,” Kawanguzi said. “But this shows that adding private tracking devices to motorcycles can help fight theft. People should work for what they want and avoid crime.”
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