Three fishermen in Jinja are in custody following accusations of murdering a fellow fisherman over the disappearance of four fish. The suspects, identified as Moses Katasa, Wilber Magero, and Irene Akurut, were arrested in connection with the incident.
The deceased, known only as Rogers, allegedly became a suspect in the theft of four fish belonging to Irene Akurut, also known as Mama Angel, as they were being dried. The incident unfolded on Friday at Kisiima II islands in Walukuba/Masese southern division of Jinja city.
According to reports, Irene Akurut noticed the absence of four fish while inspecting her drying catch. Suspecting Rogers, she informed Moses Katasa and Wilber Magero about her suspicions.
Katasa and Magero purportedly confronted Rogers at his residence, where they allegedly assaulted him, leading to his death. Subsequently, they reportedly staged the scene to resemble suicide by hanging the victim’s body in his house using a rope.
The local community, upon noticing suspicious activities, alerted the LC1 chairperson, who contacted the police. Law enforcement officers arrived at the scene to investigate. Upon examination, they determined that the positioning of the victim’s body and the absence of typical signs of suicide indicated foul play.
The trio accused of the murder were apprehended and taken into custody at Jinja Central Police Station, where they face charges of murder. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased was transferred to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.
Statistics from the Police 2023 annual crime report reveal a concerning trend of mob justice in Jinja, particularly related to theft cases. The report indicates a significant increase in reported incidents, highlighting the need for community-based interventions to address issues of crime and justice within the region.
