MUKONO – Three people were been burnt to death in Takajunge Village, Nama Sub County in Mukono district in a space of two days for alleged theft.
The first incident happened on Wednesday this week where an unidentified man was set ablaze on accusations of stealing a motorcycle.
A similar incident occurred on Thursday morning when two men were bundled together and burnt beyond recognition for alleged theft of half a sack of bananas.
Luke Owoyesigyire – the Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incidents, adding that investigations were on-going. He noted that police had recovered wires, stones, and blood-stained bamboo sticks from the scene.
“So far, the bodies have been examined by our Soco team; and blood swabs were taken to ascertain DNA analysis. The bodies have been taken to Mulago city mortuary for post-mortem and the case file of murder by mobs opened up at Mukono Police Division,” noted Owoyesigyire.
He said that police had since identified the owner of the alleged stolen motorcycle as Siraj Burenna – a resident of Kakara Village, Nakifuma Sub County.
Burenna had reported the loss of his motorcycle on Tuesday before it was sighted at Takajunge, prompting the mob to beat up the rider and setting his body on fire.
Wasswa Kizito – a resident in the area said the burnt persons weren’t known in the community, adding that cases of theft were rampant. He claimed that at most affected persons rarely receive justice despite reporting to relevant authorities.
Umar Ssebuyungo – the Greater Mukono Reserve Force Operations Officer condemned the acts of mob justice. He appealed to the authorities to expedite cases once suspects are presented before them.
Kagadi Teacher Found Dead
Meanwhile, Police in Kagadi district are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Stanley Bwomezi, 35 – a teacher at Mabaale Public Secondary School. Bwomezi was found dead inside his house at Nyabirungi Village in Mabaale Town Council on Wednesday morning.
The deceased’s brother, Eric Sunday suspects that he could have died due to excessive consumption of alcohol, saying that he was last sighted on Tuesday evening drinking in the trading centre.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson, confirmed the incident, saying the body had been handed to Kagadi general hospital for post-mortem.
Witchdoctor, Son Arrested Over Neighbor’s Death
In Jinja, Police are holding Grace Balimanya – a renowned witchdoctor, and his son – Aggrey Keyala, over the death of their neighbour – Nasur Masasiro, 60. The two spent the night at Kiira East Central police station.
Balimanya is reported to have, on Monday night, exhumed, for rituals, the remains of Masasiro’s brother – Patrick Walimbwa, who died in 2002.This prompted Masasiro to engage in a fierce brawl with Balimanya, who allegedly connived with Keyala to hit him in the head, leading to death. An autopsy conducted at the Jinja Regional Referral hospital confirmed that Masasiro succumbed to a blood clot after being hit with a sharp object in the head.
Balimanya dismisses the allegations against him as baseless, blaming other unidentified traditional healers in the area for the act. Kiira Region police spokesperson, James Mubi said sniffer dogs had assisted leading detectives to Balimanya’s home, which was found deserted.
Mubi added that police had recovered exhibits comprising suspected human remains from the scene of the crime as well as Balimanya’s home.
Additional reporting by URN
