Suspected maize thief burnt to death in Kakumiro
No arrests have been made so far, and police say investigations are ongoing.
Kakumiro: Police in Kakumiro District have launched an investigation into the brutal killing of a 26-year-old man, Ssempomero Chrysostom, who was allegedly lynched and burnt by a mob over accusations of stealing 50 kilograms of maize.
The incident occurred on Friday in Mugabi LC1, Kamusenene Parish, Nkooko Sub-county. According to eyewitnesses, an angry mob beat and later set Ssempomero on fire, resulting in his death.
Julius Allan Hakiza, the Albertine South Region Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident and revealed that police were alerted too late.
“We were informed late, and by the time our officers reached the scene, Ssempomero had already succumbed to his injuries,” Hakiza said.
The scene was documented by a team of Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), homicide detectives, and uniformed police officers.
While the motive behind the mob justice is linked to the alleged maize theft, sources indicate that Ssempomero may have had a history of petty crime, which could have provoked the community’s extreme reaction.
No arrests have been made so far, and police say investigations are ongoing.
Hakiza strongly condemned the act of mob justice and urged the public to follow the rule of law.
“We appeal to members of the public to avoid taking the law into their own hands. Always report suspected criminals to the nearest police station for proper legal action,” he emphasized.
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