LIRA, UGANDA – Police in Lira District are holding three suspects in connection with the brutal mob murder of a man accused of stealing four chickens. The incident, which has been condemned by local authorities, occurred in Golilwite village, Alwala parish, Ogur Sub-County.
The deceased has been identified as Okello Kizito. According to a press statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer for North Kyoga, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the three arrested suspects are Ojok Alfred, Apolo Harriet, and Okello Ben. A fourth suspect, Ocen Alex, is also in custody. The police noted that other individuals involved in the attack are still at large and are actively being sought.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fatal encounter began on October 31, 2026, at approximately 5:30 AM. Okello Kizito was allegedly found in possession of four chickens suspected to have been stolen from the home of Apolo Harriet. Upon being spotted, an alarm was raised, and the deceased fled the scene.
A group of suspects, including the arrested individuals, chased Kizito, who attempted to seek refuge in the home of a local resident, Awor Evaline. In a shocking escalation of violence, the mob demolished the grass-thatched house to get to the suspect. They pulled him out and subjected him to a severe beating.
The statement further reveals that even when the area's LC1 chairperson arrived and attempted to intervene, the assailants continued their assault until Okello lost consciousness. He was pronounced dead at a location approximately 300 meters from the house where he was attacked.
The Police at Ogur Central Police Station (CPS) were notified, and a team led by the District Police Commander (DPC) swiftly responded to the scene. A case of murder by mob action was officially registered. The Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) documented the scene, and witness statements have been recorded.
The body of the deceased was conveyed to the Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination. Police have confirmed that three suspects are in custody to aid in the investigation, with intelligence teams on the ground to identify and arrest the remaining perpetrators.
SP Okema strongly condemned the use of violence to resolve community disputes, reminding the public that Article 22 of the Ugandan Constitution guarantees the right to life. He urged citizens to refrain from mob justice and instead apprehend suspects and hand them over to the police for investigation and prosecution.
