SOROTI –The Police in Soroti have identified the four victims of a mob action in Katine sub-county over the weekend.
The group, travelling in an Ipsum car Reg. No. UAM 156E was beaten; and burnt beyond recognition after residents suspected them of stealing cattle in Ojwing Village, Katine sub-county on the night of January 8, 2023.
Moses Mwanga Kityo – the East Kyoga Regional Police Commander – RPC identified the mob victims as Robert Ayoo, 30; and Jimmy O’Mara, 48 -both residents of Okwor village in Kangai sub county, Dokolo district, while the other two are Walter Ogwang, 28; and Solomon Edok, 38 -both residents of Aculawic village, Ayabi sub county in Kwania district.
According to Mwanga, the police had delayed in identifying the mob victims because they were burnt beyond recognition.
“The only person we identified fast was Robert Ayoo because his identity card didn’t burn wholesomely. It’s actually from Ayoo that we were able to trace and identify the other victims,” said Mwanga, who warned residents taking the law in their hands.
He highlighted that cases of mob action were on the rise in the Teso sub region of late – where most victims are suspected of stealing cattle.
The majority of the incidents of mob action are reported in Katakwi district where the victims are suspected of stealing cattle.
In November last year, suspected cattle thieves survived being lynched in Ngariam sub-county in Katakwi district when they were found loading cattle in a Taxi Reg No. UBA 298R, which angry residents set ablaze to ashes.
Bodies of the deceased were picked from the mortuary in Soroti for burial in their respective villages.
