By Four suspected thieves were lynched by residents of Namulesa village in Jinja City North Division Sunday. The four had earlier been seen riding on a boda boda with concealed number plates something the residents found suspicious.
The lynched suspected thieves were suspected to have been behind a spate of home invasions in Mafubira and Budondo villages in Jinja City.
Reportedly, one of the suspects is believed to have defrauded sh50,000 from a mobile money operator at around 7:30 am. The residents beat him up and he volunteered to lead them to a rented room where they keep stolen items.
Three other youths were arrested having been found in the room where stolen items were kept, which sparked anger from the residents. They tied the suspects with ropes and put them in the middle of the Jinja-Kamuli road.
Police dispersed the residents with teargas and live bullets in vain.
The three suspects were killed after the residents attacked Police and overpowered it.
“We are tired of such thieves, killing them will set an example to others who are about to commit the same crimes,” one of the eyewitnesses said.
One of the suspects escaped but was later arrested and taken to Jinja Central Police Station, the officer-in-charge Budondo Police Station, Mr. Charles Byamukama, confirmed.
He, however, condemned residents’ decision to take the law into their hands and kill the suspects.
“These people have been notorious thugs around, so I think today people managed to lynch them but police are going to investigate,” he said.
The wreckage of the burnt motorcycle was towed to Jinja Central Police Station, while the four bodies were taken to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital mortuary.
