AN unidentified man was burnt beyond recognition for allegedly breaking into a shop.
“We heard Sulait Namakago, the shop owner, crying for help at about 1:00am, saying people had broken into his shop.
“Residents gathered, searched and found two thugs and set one ablaze, while the other escaped with serious injuries,” said Magidu Mudebo, a resident of Bunapongo Upper in Bungokho sub-county, Mbale district.
Mudebo said breaking into shops was on the increase in the area, adding that residents had lost property worth millions and had created groups that move around at night to keep the area secure.
Mudebo said thieves had also been stealing food from gardens, adding that the two men had stolen items worth sh5,000.
Mudebo said residents tried to search for the one who escaped by following drops of his blood from the deep cuts he sustained, in vain.
He was not even in the hospitals, where they suspected that he could have gone for treatment.
“We are tired of these thieves. Let that be the example to those who are also planning to get rich that way. We have even helped the parents because they will not suffer with burial expenses,” Mudebo said.
Ahamed Washakhe, the LC3 chairperson Bungokho, said over 20 shops had been broken into in six months, adding that it was the first case of mob justice.
He said they suspected the thieves were from the Mooni suburbs of Mbale municipality, but they had colleagues in other areas who tip them off on who to rob.
Washakhe also said the residents
were tired of recording statements with the Police, only to find the culprits have been freed soon after.
