14 suspects arrested over local’s murder

The group is suspected to be part of a mob that lynched a man to death over a land misunderstanding.

Mbarara

Police in Mbarara District have arrested 14 people suspected to be part of a mob that killed a man following a land wrangle in Rwampara County last week.

Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson Polly Namaye said Yona Kuribakanya was reportedly kidnapped by the mob at 10am and was made to travel a long distance on bare feet while being tortured.
She added that he was then taken to Kyamugasha Hills where he was butchered. “After completing their deadly mission, the mob went back and destroyed his house and banana plantation before injuring his daughter and casual labourer,” Ms Namaye said.

In retaliation, the relatives of the deceased attacked and set ablaze the home of the LCI chairperson, who is alleged to have organised the mob. The residents say the land conflict had been forwarded before court, which had issued an injunction against using the land.

However, the victim is said to have gone ahead and fenced it off, a move that annoyed the other parties in the case. The police spokesperson said it was unfortunate for people to persistently take the law into their hands.

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