Bishop Ozelle condemns increasing cases of mob justice in Nebbi

By Patrick Okaba

The Bishop of Nebbi diocese Rt, Rev Pons Ozelle has condemned the acts of mob justice which is increasingly ending the lives of innocent citizens based on allegations.

Speaking in Nebbi on Tuesday, the Bishop said: “Mob justice violates the basic human rights of the victims and undermines the rule of laws of which Christians must distance themselves from the act.”

His call comes at a time when seven people were killed by mobs in various parts of the district within one month.

 “Biblically, mob justice undermines one’s dignity and degrades God’s image because man is created in the image of God. We should find alternative peaceful ways of resolving conflicts other than revenge that leads to mob justice,” he said.

 According to Nebbi police, the increasing cases of mob justice in the district is due to socio-economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, discrimination and anger which people are undergoing in the communities.

Police investigations and statistics indicate that most of the mob justice victims are youth between the ages of 18-25 who have failed to work hard to meet their daily needs and end up being killed in the process of theft and burglaries.

The District police commander, Mr Amisi Kayondo, acknowledged that in the month of June, at least seven people were killed by mob in the district. 

He said out of the seven people, four were in Nebbi Town, two in Erussi Sub-county and two in Nyaravur Sub county.

Kayondo warned that mob justice is a criminal offence and if caught, the culprit could face assault or murder charges for the crime committed.

He adds that in most cases some Local Council leaders connive with mobs to end the life of a suspect but other LCs get overwhelmed by mobs that is why it becomes hard for the LCs to control the actions.

He adds that to curb the rate of mob justice, police are intensifying community policing and the radio talk shows to sensitize the communities and business community on the dangers of the vice.

The LCI Chairman Kasuku cell, Constance Onenchan, said people have lost trust in legal procedures and so they have resorted to killing in case the person is caught red handed.

He said the communities are losing their valuable households items and animals to thieves and when they are caught, the community takes law in their hands and lynched the suspect.

“LCs do not have guns to control the crowds and when they are overwhelmed by a mob, the life of the suspected thief is taken away,” Onenchan said.