This archive report was first published on 19 October 2019.
On October 14, 2019, a tragic incident occurred in Mutungo, a Kampala suburb, when a Ugandan lawyer, Peter Kibirango, was beaten by a mob who suspected him of theft.
Kibirango, an advocate with Orima & Co. Advocates, had mistakenly picked a customer's phone at a Mobile Money kiosk, leading to the confrontation.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire, suspects have been arrested on charges of murder, including a soldier attached to Immigration Training School in Nakasogola District.
It is alleged that Kibirango, carrying a phone and a charger, went to the mobile money kiosk to make a transaction. He then put his charger on top of the counter as he made the transaction, and the soldier, who is currently in police custody, also came and put his phone near Kibirango's charger.
After the transaction, Kibirango mistakenly picked both the charger and the phone that belonged to the soldier, leading to the confrontation.
Mr. Owoyesigyire said, 'On the way, he was confronted by the soldier accusing him of stealing his phone. They established that he had mistakenly picked the soldier's phone. Kibirango apologised, but they agreed to go to police to sort the case out. On the way, boda boda riders joined in and beat him.'
Police later came and saved him after firing several rounds of bullets in the air, and he was taken to Mulago Referral Hospital for treatment. The victim's relative later shifted him to Case Hospital where he died on Friday night.
