Police in Jinja are investigating the incident in which two suspected goat thieves were killed and their bodies burnt by the mob in Kainogoga Mafubira, in the northern division of Jinja city.

The Kiira Regional Police Spokesperson, SP James Mubi identified the deceased persons as Musisi Mafabi, 22, a son to Wasukira Wadada and Byeko Onyango, a son to one Mapengo of Buwekula in Jinja.

SP Mubi says the deceased persons went to the home of Hussein Tenywa Waiswa in Buwekula, Jinja northern division in Jinja City and stole four goats on Saturday, July 29, before proceeding to roast the meat on Sunday morning in the garden.

“It’s alleged that the suspects before being killed and burnt, went to the home of Hussein Tenywa Waiswa in Kainogoga in Mafubira, Jinja northern division and stole four goats,” SP Mubi said in a statement on Monday morning.

He added that the suspects were spotted roasting meat in the gardens in Kainogoga and the community members killed and burnt their bodies and meat, using the firewood which they were using to roast the stolen meat in the garden.

According to SP Mubi, police have now intensified patrols in Villages and highways to curb the crime of theft of cattle, goats, chickens, among other valuables.

“We have intensified patrols in villages and highways to curb the crime of animal theft. Our respective CCTV control rooms are working 24/7 to monitor movements of suspicious vehicles and motorcycles carrying stolen meat, goats, chickens and cows,” he said, before encouraging the community to report movements of any suspicious persons, vehicles and motorcycles in their respective areas as a way of cooperating with security in fighting crimes.

Meanwhile, police reached the scene and took the deceased persons’ bodies to Jinja’s main hospital mortuary for postmortem. He however condemned the act of mob justice which was carried out by the locals before advising them to always report suspected criminals to authorities for lawful measures.

This comes after a Jinja police highway patrol vehicle that polices the stretch of the new bridge recently intercepted a person carrying meat of nine stolen chickens and four goats which were stolen from Bwondha in Mayuge district.