DOKOLO, UGANDA: Authorities in Dokolo District have raised alarm over a surge in murders, with Resident District Commissioner Barbra Aketch calling for public trials of suspects to restore confidence in the justice system.
Speaking to DailyExpress on Monday, Aketch said the current handling of murder cases has left communities feeling unsafe and disconnected from the justice process.
“The people of Dokolo must witness justice in their own communities,” she said. “When suspects are arrested but cases disappear into the court system without transparency, it breeds suspicion and frustration.”
Local authorities say the spike in violent deaths is largely driven by domestic disputes, land wrangles, and cases of mob justice.
Recent incidents paint a grim picture. For example, in January 2025, a 24-year-old man was stabbed to death following a land dispute, with six suspects arrested, while in May 2025, two men were lynched and burned by a mob over alleged theft.
A long-running murder case dating back to 2019 remains unresolved, with one suspect released after years on remand, yet in 2026 alone, multiple domestic-related killings have been reported, including spousal murders and a child killing under investigation.
The trend has unsettled residents, many of whom say violence is becoming normalised.
“We cannot continue burying people over land and family disputes. People are losing respect for life,” a local elder said.
Police Warn Against Mob Justice
Security agencies have urged communities to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, warning that vigilante actions worsen the situation.
North Kyoga Police Spokesperson, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema emphasized that justice must follow lawful procedures. “Vigilante killings are illegal and only escalate violence. Arrests must be followed by proper legal processes,” he said.
Aketch argues that public trials could help rebuild trust and act as a deterrent to crime by making justice more visible. “Transparency is not optional; it is necessary for peace. The people must see that justice is done,” she added.
However, legal experts caution that such trials must still uphold the rights of suspects.
Bosco Twontoo noted that while public trials may deter crime, they must not compromise fairness. “Public trials can work if conducted properly, but justice must remain impartial and not turn into spectacle,” he said.
Authorities say patrols have been increased and coordination among security agencies strengthened, particularly in sub-counties identified as crime hotspots.
Officials maintain that combining enforcement with community cooperation will be key to reversing the trend. “We are committed to preventing further bloodshed and ensuring suspects face the law swiftly,” Aketch said.
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