Kiira Regional Police Boss Condemns Mob Justice After Two Killings in Jinja

The Kiira Regional Police Commander, Charles Nsaba, has urged the public to desist from engaging in mob justice, describing it as a backward and unlawful response to crime. His remarks follow two separate incidents of mob violence in Jinja City that claimed two lives on the nights of May 13 and 14.

In the first incident, a man suspected of stealing a brand-new motorcycle from a boda boda stage along Kutch Road in the Southern Division was set ablaze by a crowd of angry riders. The mob tied ropes around the suspect’s neck, dragged his burning body through the streets, and chanted as the gruesome spectacle unfolded.

Videos of the incident were recorded and widely shared across WhatsApp platforms in Jinja, sparking mixed reactions from the public, many condemning the brutality as inhumane. The chaos lasted for nearly an hour before police personnel intervened, firing live rounds into the air to disperse the crowd. A fire brigade vehicle was dispatched to extinguish the flames, but the suspect had already been burned beyond recognition. 

Only the skull remained, which was later taken to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for DNA testing and possible identification by relatives. In the second incident, an unidentified male, believed to be in his 20s, was killed by a mob near Mpumudde Market, also in the Southern Division, during the night of May 14. His body was found with two bars of soap, a machete, and a brown bag nearby.

The deceased was taken to Jinja Hospital mortuary pending a postmortem examination. Commander Nsaba condemned both acts, describing mob justice as "an outdated trait" that has no place in a modern society. “Civility demands that both offenders and victims are given equal opportunity to be heard before a court of law. Violence should never be an option,” he said.

He emphasized that the justice system is equipped to handle criminal matters through investigations and fair trials, where convicted individuals receive lawful sentences that serve both punitive and rehabilitative purposes. “Criminals, once convicted, are sentenced appropriately, which not only deters others but also allows for their rehabilitation,” Nsaba added.

He called on the public to embrace peaceful means of conflict resolution and uphold the rule of law. “Let us promote non-violent conflict resolution methods and foster a peaceful environment,” he said. Faith Namansa, a member of the Jinja City NGO Forum, echoed Nsaba’s sentiments. She noted that mob justice undermines the principle of fairness by killing suspects before they are given a chance to defend themselves. “Mob justice is a mockery of justice. Many victims are innocent, and such acts can lead to a breakdown of societal trust,” Namansa said. She called for strengthened community sensitization to promote peace and justice through legal frameworks rather than vigilante action.