RUKUNGIRI – The DPC Rukungiri District, SSP Brian Ampeire, has warned the public against the escalating scourge of mob justice, a dangerous trend that fundamentally undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in established justice institutions.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The DPC expressed grave concern on Thursday while speaking to this reporter from his office at the Central Police Station in Rukungiri over the rising number of murder incidents being reported across the district.
Ampeire appealed to residents to resist the temptation of instant retaliation and instead report suspected criminals to the police, allowing the formal justice system to run its course.
“Mob justice is not only unlawful but also deeply barbaric and counterproductive. Every individual, regardless of the accusations against them, is entitled to a fair hearing and a thorough investigation by the relevant authorities. No one has the right to act as judge, jury, and executioner,” SSP Ampeire stated.
Cue in: DPC Ampeire on mob justice. Eng
The Police Commander stressed that Uganda’s justice framework clearly mandates judicial institutions to handle criminal matters and deliver fair outcomes.
He cautioned that vigilante action does not solve crime but rather complicates it, often leading to further lawlessness and the tragic loss of innocent lives, with perpetrators facing full prosecution for murder.
“Taking the law into your own hands often results in irreversible mistakes. We have seen cases where individuals accused of minor offenses have been beaten to death, only for investigations to later reveal they were entirely innocent,” he lamented.
SSP Ampeire called upon community leaders, local councils, and residents to cooperate closely with security agencies by providing timely and accurate information about criminal activities.
He reassured the public that police would act swiftly on all reports and urged them to reject vigilantism in favor of due process, which he described as the only sustainable path to a peaceful society.
The appeal follows a surge in mob-justice incidents across Kigezi, where security agencies are ramping up public awareness and joint operations with community groups to restore trust in formal crime-prevention systems.
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