The violent attack occurred two days ago in Bwanika Village, located in the Bufumbo Sub-county of Mbale District. According to eyewitnesses, tensions had been simmering for weeks after the body of a middle-aged man was discovered in a nearby thicket under suspicious circumstances.

The villagers, convinced that a local family was involved in the murder, took matters into their own hands, leading to a deadly assault that left five people dead and several homes in ashes.

Among the victims were the family’s patriarch and matriarch, as well as three adult children. Two younger family members reportedly managed to escape and are currently in protective custody.

In a further act of vengeance, the mob set fire to six houses belonging to the family, reducing them to rubble and ashes.

Residents said they had grown increasingly restless due to what they claimed was police inaction over the murder case. “We kept waiting for justice, but nothing happened. People got tired and took action,” one local told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Authorities have since condemned the attack, calling it a gross violation of the law.

Mbale District Deputy Commissioner, Sarah Nabirye, confirmed the incident and revealed that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched a full-scale investigation into both the lynching and the initial murder.

“This kind of mob justice is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We urge residents to let the law take its course and refrain from taking justice into their own hands,” Nabirye stated.

The bodies of the deceased have been transferred to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examinations.

Police patrols have been intensified in the area to prevent further violence, and several suspects linked to the mob attack have already been apprehended.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of the deadly assault, leaders are calling for calm, urging residents to seek lawful ways of resolving conflicts.

This brutal episode has once again spotlighted the dangers of mob justice and the urgent need for stronger faith in Uganda’s criminal justice system.

Authorities have since condemned the attack, calling it a gross violation of the law.