EDITOR
The territorial police in Rubanda District are investigating the circumstances under which a 30-year-old man, Bruno Tumukunde, was lynched to death on Tuesday night, allegedly for stealing Irish potatoes.
According to police reports, Tumukunde and another suspect, 23-year-old Rogers Katusiime, both residents of Matakara Village, Ikamiro Parish in Muko Sub County, allegedly broke into a store belonging to Adoniya Zikereta on the evening of May 14, 2025. The two are accused of stealing eight bags of Irish potatoes valued at UGX 1.8 million.
At around 11:20 PM, the Officer in Charge of Muko Police Station, ASP Mahiirane Vincent, received a distress call reporting that two suspected thieves had been apprehended and were being beaten by an angry mob.
Police swiftly responded and rescued the suspects, transporting them to Muko Butare Health Center. However, the nurse on duty declined to admit them, fearing that the enraged locals might attack the facility to finish off the suspects, who were reportedly known habitual criminals.
While police were making arrangements to transfer the suspects to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, Tumukunde succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Two case files—one for store breaking and theft, and another for murder by mob—have been opened, and investigations are ongoing.
The stolen Irish potatoes were recovered by the complainant and local residents.
Tumukunde’s body was taken to Kabale Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination. Meanwhile, Katusiime was released on police bond into the care of his mother to receive medical attention.
This was confirmed by ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson.
