Apac, Uganda | Residents of Alworoceng Parish in Apac District remain gripped by fear following a wave of violence that culminated in the lynching of a 50-year-old man suspected of murder, police have said.
The man, identified as Ume Saidi, also known as Anam Francis, was killed by an angry mob on January 5, 2026, at Amii-Amola Village, Ibuje Sub-county, barely days after another murder was reported in the same community.
According to police, the deceased had allegedly gone into hiding after hacking to death Otim Moses on January 1, 2026.
The situation in the village reportedly worsened after Saidi’s son, Ogweta Denis (21), was also killed by a mob, sparking retaliatory threats that caused widespread panic among residents.
Police say the threats forced some villagers to abandon their homes over fears of further attacks, raising concerns about the breakdown of law and order in the area.
On Monday morning, residents reportedly spotted Saidi hiding in a nearby bush and alerted others.
Before police could arrive, a mob pursued and lynched him.
Officers from Apac Central Police Station and Kidilani Police Post later recovered the body and transferred it to Apac General Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination.
Detectives are yet to revisit the scene for full forensic analysis.
Police spokesperson for North Kyoga Region, Patrick Jimmy Okema, condemned the continued use of mob justice, warning that it only fuels more violence and insecurity.
“Mob action is criminal and unacceptable. It undermines justice and exposes innocent people to danger,” Okema said, urging residents to cooperate with police and allow suspects to be handled through lawful procedures.
By press time, no arrests had been made, but police said investigations into both the mob killing and the earlier murder were ongoing.
Security officials say they are engaging local leaders to restore calm and reassure residents as inquiries continue.
