Arua, Uganda – Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the tragic murder of Dr. Paul Bishop Drileba, the Acting District Health Officer for Arua, who was killed by a mob on November 23, 2024, while surveying his land in Ojibari village, Ajia Sub County.
The arrested suspects include the father of the primary suspect and a girl whose alarm led to the mob’s violent attack.
They were apprehended on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, in Rhino camp following a manhunt organized by youth from Ajia Sub County.
Dr. Drileba, who had purchased the land in September 2024, was surveying it with a group of seven people, including a surveyor, when they were surrounded by a mob of more than 100 people.
The crowd, armed with pangas, arrows and bows, questioned his ownership of the land.
Swaib Toko, Arua Resident District Commissioner (RDC), confirmed that the mob attacked Dr. Drileba and the surveyor.
“The mob began cutting Dr. Drileba with pangas. He was struck on the head, back, and neck until he died, while the surveyor managed to escape with injuries,” Toko said.
The brutal killing has left the Arua community shocked, especially considering Dr. Drileba’s vital role in the district’s health sector.
His death has sparked outrage over land disputes in the area, with many calling for swift justice and an end to violence over property conflicts.
Following the arrests, authorities are continuing their search for the main suspect who allegedly led the mob.
RDC Toko condemned the attack, stressing the importance of resolving land disputes through legal means rather than violence.
“This is a tragic loss, and those responsible must face the law,” Toko added.
The murder has cast a shadow over the district, with calls for enhanced community dialogue on land ownership and conflict resolution to prevent further violence.