Theft of coffee is increasing as prices shoot up
Territorial police in Lwengo is investigating circumstances under which a 90-year-old was killed by an irate mob on account of stealing and selling two kilograms of coffee.
The incident happened on Thursday in Kabwami village, Kkingo Sub County in Lwengo district.
Although the Police is yet to officially confirm the incident, Lwengo District LCV Chairman, Ibrahim Kitatta says that the victim, an army veteran identified only as Matovu alias Kanyama was beaten to death “by three residents of Kabwami Village in Kkingo Sub County of Lwengo District for allegedly stealing and selling two kilograms of coffee.”
Kitatta says the suspects are still on the run.
By the end of 2022, a total of 953 cases of Murder by Mob Action were registered to Police compared to 759 cases reported in 2021, giving an increase of 25.5%. Victims of Mob Action were mainly suspected to have committed the following offences; Theft, Robbery, Murder, Witchcraft, Burglary thereby making suspects take law into their own hands.
Albertine region registered the highest number of cases of Murder by Mob Action in 2022 (82 cases).
