AMOLATAR – Territorial Police have confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the brutal murder of a man identified as Okello Joel, who was beaten to death by a mob in Oribcing village, Amolatar District, on Saturday, October 19, 2025.
The suspects have been named as Angii Ivan, 21; Olwa Jimmy, 61; and Ojam Emmy, 19. All are peasant farmers and residents of Oribcing village, Agikdak Parish, where the tragic incident occurred.
According to a statement released by SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the Public Relations Officer for the North Kyoga Region, the fatal altercation began at approximately 9:00 AM. The deceased, Okello Joel, was allegedly arrested by a group of seven people on suspicion of stealing a bicycle belonging to one of the suspects.
“The seven people (suspects) then started caning the deceased using sticks all over the body until the deceased became unconscious and eventually collapsed and died," the police statement read.
The assailants reportedly fled the scene, leaving Okello's lifeless body in the compound of his own home.
A team of police officers from the Amolatar Central Police Station (CPS), led by the District Police Commander (DPC), visited the crime scene. The Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) team examined and documented the area, recovering broken sticks believed to have been used in the fatal assault. These were logged as exhibits.
Statements were also recorded from the initial reporter and the local LC1 Chairperson. The body of the deceased was conveyed to Amolatar Health Centre IV for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Suspects in Custody, Others on the Run
While the three primary suspects are now in custody and being held at Amolatar CPS for further investigation, police confirmed that other members of the mob are still at large.
“We shall get them," SP Okema asserted, indicating an ongoing manhunt for the remaining individuals involved.
Concluding the statement, SP Okema issued a stern warning against mob justice, a recurring problem in the region. He urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and instead cooperate with law enforcement.
“We continue to appeal to members of the public to desist from acts of taking law into their hands," he said. "Instead, support police with investigation by providing information with enough evidence."
The incident has sent shockwaves through the rural community of Oribcing, highlighting the deadly consequences of vigilante justice. The suspects are expected to be formally charged in court once police investigations are complete.
