Lira, Uganda | Police in Lira City are investigating the killing of an unidentified man who was lynched by a mob in the early hours of December 24, 2025, in an incident authorities say highlights the dangers of vigilantism.
The killing occurred at Akitenino Cell, Omito Ward, along the Lango College–Omito Road in Lira City West Division, after an alarm was reportedly raised by unknown persons alleging an attempted theft.
Residents responded, apprehended a man suspected to be involved, and beat him to death before police arrival.
The body was discovered at about 6:30am by the area LC chairperson, who alerted police.
According to the North Kyoga Regional Police, officers led by D/ASP Phoebe Nansereko, the Deputy CID Officer for Lira City West Division, visited the scene, documented evidence, and conveyed the body to Lira City Referral Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem.
Police recovered a metal object and a piece of concrete, believed to have been used during the assault. The deceased was found with multiple fresh injuries to the head and legs and was dressed in a sleeveless green T-shirt and shorts.
Speaking on the matter, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, the regional police spokesperson, strongly condemned the killing, warning that mob justice is a criminal act punishable under Ugandan law.
“No one has the right to take the law into their own hands. Suspected criminals should be handed over to police for proper investigation and prosecution,” Okema said.
He added that investigations are ongoing to establish the identity of the deceased and trace those who participated in the lynching.
Police have appealed to residents with information to cooperate with security agencies.
Security officials noted that mob violence remains a challenge in some urban communities, often driven by fear, anger, and misinformation, and called for increased community-police collaboration to prevent similar incidents.
By press time, no suspects had been arrested.