By Karim Were
SOROTI CITY, Aug. 3 — Police in Soroti City have launched investigations into a suspected mob justice incident that left two street children dead and another seriously injured after they were allegedly attacked by an angry mob over suspected theft.
The incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on Monday along Town Talks Street in Soroti Central Ward, Soroti East Division, an area commonly known for accommodating street children and commercial sex workers.
According to preliminary police findings, three street children were confronted by a group of people who accused them of theft. During the attack, two of the children were severely beaten before being set ablaze. A third victim was rescued by police officers and rushed to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment.
The survivor has been identified as George Evaku. By Monday morning, police had not yet established the identities of the two deceased victims.
Kyoga East Regional Police Commander Ibrahim Saiga confirmed that the bodies had been taken to Soroti City Mortuary for postmortem examinations.
“The bodies of the deceased have been conveyed to the Soroti City Mortuary for postmortem examination, and investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible,” Saiga said.
The regional police commander condemned the act of mob justice, emphasizing that every suspect is entitled to due process under the law regardless of the allegations against them.
He urged members of the public to report suspected criminals to the police instead of resorting to violence, warning that mob justice is a criminal offence that undermines the country’s justice system.
Police have since launched a manhunt for those involved in the fatal attack as detectives work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The latest case adds to growing concern over the increasing incidence of mob justice across Uganda, where suspected offenders are often subjected to violent attacks before investigations are completed or court proceedings begin. Police have repeatedly appealed to the public to allow law enforcement agencies to handle criminal suspects through established legal procedures.
