Arua City, Uganda: Police in Ayivu West Division are investigating a suspected case of mob justice after an unidentified man was beaten to death by a group of residents in Komite Cell, Pokea Ward.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, April 27, 2026, at around 2:00 a.m., and was later reported to police at 7:25 a.m. by the LC1 Chairperson of Komite Cell.
According to Josephine Angucia, the West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, the deceased was allegedly found pushing a wheelbarrow with unspecified items when he was attacked by locals.
Preliminary findings indicate that the victim’s identity remains unknown, and it has not yet been established whether he had committed any offence.
“Further investigations established that the people who committed the offence are known criminals in the area and the deceased is not known,” Angucia said.
Police say the attackers later took the injured man to the LC1 Chairperson, who advised them to rush him to hospital. However, he later succumbed to injuries.
A case of murder has since been registered, and officers visited and documented the scene, recorded witness statements, and conveyed the body to Arua Regional Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.
No arrests have been made so far, with investigations ongoing under Ayivu West Division CRB 071/2026.
The incident adds to growing national concern over mob justice, which continues to account for a significant share of violent crime in Uganda.
According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025, a total of 950 mob-related murders were recorded nationwide, down slightly from 1,016 cases in 2024—a 6.5% decrease.
West Nile alone registered 68 cases, ranking among the highest regions, behind North Kyoga (73 cases) and KMP East (71 cases).
Police data shows that victims of mob justice are often individuals suspected of crimes such as theft, robbery, burglary, or witchcraft, with communities resorting to vigilante action due to frustration and mistrust in formal justice systems.
Police have strongly condemned the latest killing, warning that mob justice is both illegal and a violation of human rights.
“We highly condemn acts of mob justice as they are not only illegal but against human rights,” Angucia said. “Suspected criminals should be handed over to police or the nearest authority for lawful handling.”
Authorities say such actions not only undermine due process but also complicate investigations, as critical evidence is often destroyed in the process.
As investigations continue, police have appealed to the public to cooperate and provide information that could lead to the identification of suspects and the deceased.
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