19-Year-Old Killed by Mob Over Motorcycle Theft Allegations

Police in Lwengo District are searching for members of a mob that killed 19-year-old mechanic Segawa Rakibu on accusations of motorcycle theft.

The incident occurred on September 2, 2025, at Kiryamenvu B Village, Katuulo Parish, Kyazanga Sub-county. According to reports, at around 3:35 p.m., IP Lokwang Omon Ben, the Officer-in-Charge of Kakoma Police Station, received information about a mob lynching. He rushed to the scene and rescued one suspect, Kato Mahad, who had been tied up, beaten, and locked in a house. Mahad was taken into police custody.

Shortly after, police received further reports that Mahad’s alleged accomplice, Segawa Rakibu, had been killed by a mob in a nearby eucalyptus plantation.

Preliminary investigations indicate that on August 12, 2025, Mahad and others allegedly stole a motorcycle, registration number UFQ 621R. The theft was never reported until September 2, when the motorcycle owner arrested Mahad. During interrogation, Mahad claimed to have sold the motorcycle to Segawa. When Segawa was called to the scene, he was assaulted by the mob and killed.

Following the incident, the motorcycle owner, identified as Bbuye Alex, reported the theft to Kyazanga Police Station. However, he fled shortly after filing the complaint. Police later confirmed that Segawa, the murder victim, was among the suspects in the motorcycle theft case.

According to SP Kasirye Twaaha, the PRO for Greater Masaka, police have registered cases of mob murder and assault occasioning bodily harm. Statements have been recorded, and a postmortem was conducted at Kyazanga Health Centre IV. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend those responsible.