EDITOR
The territorial police in Kisoro District are investigating a gruesome mob killing of 37-year-old Irankunda Desire, a suspect who had previously escaped from police custody while admitted at Kisoro General Hospital.
According to ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, the deceased was part of a group of six suspects arrested on May 13, 2025, on charges of aggravated robbery. The suspects were later transferred to Mbarara Central Police Station on May 20, 2025, following a request by the Flying Squad Unit for further management of related robbery cases in the western region.
On May 29, 2025, the suspects were returned to Kisoro, but Irankunda reportedly developed health complications and was admitted to Kisoro Police Health Center. His condition worsened, prompting a referral to Kisoro General Hospital on June 2, 2025.
Police deployed two officers to guard her—D/C Masereka Ronald for the day shift and D/C Musinguzi Alex for the night shift. However, on the same night at around 9:00 PM, Officer Musinguzi reported that the suspect had escaped from the hospital.
Efforts to re-arrest him were underway until the night of June 4, 2025, when residents spotted Irankunda Desire at Bupfumfu Village, Rwaramba Parish, in Nyakinama Sub-county. They allegedly killed him to death at around 10:00 PM.
Police visited and documented the crime scene, and the body was taken to Kisoro General Hospital for a postmortem examination. A case file of murder by mob has been opened to aid investigations.
“Inquiries are at hand,” said ASP Maate, condemning the act of mob justice and urging the public to respect the law and avoid taking matters into their own hands.
