By Security forces have arrested 29 people in connection with the gruesome killing of a police officer during a funeral in Ibanda District, as the hunt for more suspects continues.
No. 75290 PC Chemonges Suleiman, a police officer attached to Bisheshe Police Station, was lynched by a mob on April 6, 2025, while providing security at the burial of Kahangire Lazarus in Kambogo Cell, Bisheshe Division. The Uganda Police Force said the officer had been deployed to maintain peace during the funeral.
The deceased, Kahangire, had been on remand at Nyabuhikye Government Prison on charges of attempted murder and died while in custody. During the burial, tensions flared among mourners who accused PC Chemonges of being responsible for Kahangire’s arrest and detention.
At approximately 2:00 PM, the situation spiralled out of control as the crowd turned hostile. Despite firing warning shots in self-defense, the officer was overpowered and killed on the spot. Police later recovered an SMG rifle and 16 rounds of ammunition from the scene. His body was taken to Ruhoko Health Centre mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Following the incident, a major security operation was launched leading to the arrest of 29 suspects believed to have participated in the mob action. Authorities have vowed to apprehend every individual involved in the crime.
“We are continuing with the search for additional perpetrators,” the Uganda Police Force stated in a press release. “This was a criminal act, and all those responsible wills face the full force of the law.”
The police condemned the killing in the strongest terms and warned against mob justice, urging communities to use lawful means to address grievances.
The killing has raised concerns about the safety of law enforcement officers in rural areas and the increasing incidents of mob violence in Uganda.
