KASESE – Police in Kasese District have launched investigations into the death of a 20-year-old man who was allegedly assaulted by a mob after being suspected of being a thief.
The deceased, Wilson Mumbere, a resident of Sayuni Central Cell in Rugendabara Kikongo Town Council, died on Monday evening, July 13, 2026, at Rukoki Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the attack.
According to Elly Maate, the Police spokesperson for Rwenzori East Region, the incident happened in the early hours of July 11, 2026, at around 2:00am.
Maate said Mumbere had left his home to attend a funeral within Sayuni Central Cell when some members of the public allegedly suspected him of being a thief.
“He was suspected to be a thief by members of the public, who reacted by assaulting him in a mob action. In the process, he sustained serious injuries,” Maate said.
Mumbere’s parents later rushed him to Rukoki Hospital for medical attention, but he died two days later due to the injuries.
Police initially registered the matter at Rugendabara Kikongo Police Station as an assault case, but following Mumbere’s death, the case has been upgraded to murder.
Authorities said a postmortem examination will be conducted as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those responsible.
Police said efforts are underway to arrest suspects linked to the incident so that they can face prosecution.
The Rwenzori East Police spokesperson urged members of the public to avoid taking the law into their own hands, warning that mob justice remains a serious criminal offence.
Investigations into the death are ongoing.
