By Robert Segawa
The Uganda Police Force has strongly condemned the continued cases of mob justice across the country, warning that innocent lives continue to be lost through unlawful acts of revenge and vigilantism.
The latest incident involves the deaths of a traditional healer and a suspected cattle thief in Akalo Town Council, Kooro District, over the weekend.
According to preliminary reports, residents who had lost cattle sought the services of a traditional healer to help identify the suspected thief. The healer, identified as Mary Omingi, 50, allegedly administered local herbs to Ivan Ecom, 22, who was suspected of stealing the animals.
Speaking during the weekly security press briefing, Police spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituuma said Ecom consumed the herbs and later died.
Kituuma explained that relatives and residents who had gathered to witness the ritual immediately turned against the traditional healer, accusing her of causing Ecom’s death. In retaliation, the crowd attacked and killed Omingi.
Police were later called to the scene and have launched investigations to establish the composition of the herbs allegedly administered to Ecom and the circumstances that led to both deaths.
Kituuma condemned the practice of using traditional rituals, herbs, or other means to determine criminal responsibility, noting that such methods can easily lead to the loss of innocent lives.
“It is unacceptable for individuals to take the law into their own hands or rely on unverified traditional practices to identify suspects,” he said.
He further urged members of the public to report criminal cases to law enforcement agencies and allow investigations to be conducted through the proper legal channels.
Police have also expressed concern over the growing trend in some communities where victims of theft resort to traditional practices involving herbs, snakes, bees, and other methods in an attempt to trace suspected criminals.
Authorities have warned that such actions not only undermine the justice system but can also result in injury, death, and further criminal offences.
