Mob Violence Claims Over 3,700 Lives in Uganda Since 2021

Statistics from the Uganda Police Force reveal a grim reality: between January 2021 and December 2025, more than 3,764 individuals have lost their lives due to mob action. This alarming trend underscores a pervasive disregard for due process, with citizens frequently taking the law into their own hands.

The most recent casualty highlighted was Sydney Gongondyo, a 27-year-old Rugby Cranes player, who was beaten to death by a mob in Kampala’s Nakawa Division. Accused of stealing a handbag, his assailants failed to involve law enforcement, proving fatal for Gongondyo. Police have since arrested three suspects in connection with the assault.

Police spokesperson, Mr Kituuma Rusoke, has warned that participation in mob violence is a serious criminal offense, potentially leading to murder charges. He also cautioned that some individuals exploit these situations to settle personal vendettas, targeting innocent people under the guise of administering justice.

Incredibly, mob action accounted for nearly a quarter of all homicide cases in the past year. The 2025 annual crime report indicates that 950 people were killed in such incidents, representing 22.4 percent of the total 4,238 homicides. Suspects were typically accused of offenses ranging from theft and robbery to witchcraft.

The North Kyoga Police Region recorded the highest number of mob action cases, followed by Kampala Metropolitan Police East and West Nile regions. Luweero District reported the most incidents among individual districts, with 30 deaths.

The police force has reiterated its strong condemnation of mob justice, emphasizing that it undermines the rule of law and often results in the loss of innocent lives. They urge the public to always report suspected criminal activity to the authorities rather than resorting to violence.

Source: monitor.co.ug