A funeral in Uganda’s Ibanda District turned into a scene of violence and tragedy when a police officer was killed by a mob on April 6. The officer, Police Constable (PC) Chemonges Suleiman, was stationed at Bisheshe Police Station and had been deployed to provide security during the funeral proceedings of a local man, Kahangire Lazarus.
The funeral, held in Kambogo Cell, Bisheshe Division, took a grim turn when tensions escalated among the mourners. Kahangire, the deceased, had previously been accused of attempted murder and was in remand at Nyabuhikye Government Prison. He had reportedly died while in custody, a circumstance that had already stirred strong emotions among some community members.
During the funeral service, PC Chemonges became the target of a mob that accused him of being involved in Kahangire’s arrest and subsequent detention. Despite his efforts to calm the situation and protect himself by firing warning shots, the crowd became increasingly aggressive. Overwhelmed by their numbers, the officer was attacked and fatally beaten at the scene.
Authorities later recovered an SMG rifle with 16 rounds of ammunition from the area, confirming that the officer had been armed at the time of the attack. His body was transported to Ruhoko Health Centre mortuary for a postmortem examination.
In response to the incident, police swiftly launched an investigation and began arresting those believed to be involved in the lynching. So far, 29 suspects have been apprehended, with ongoing efforts to identify and capture additional individuals who may have participated in the mob violence.
The brutal killing has sparked widespread concern over the dangers faced by law enforcement officers, particularly in emotionally charged and volatile environments. The incident sheds light on the often-precarious relationship between communities and security personnel, especially when past grievances and perceived injustices are involved.
Authorities have condemned the act of violence and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that all individuals responsible for the killing face justice. The ongoing investigation is aimed at uncovering the full circumstances of the attack and ensuring that such a tragedy does not recur.
The situation has also reignited discussions about how law enforcement officers are deployed in sensitive situations and whether sufficient measures are in place to safeguard their lives. The use of police at funerals, particularly those involving individuals with contentious criminal histories, is now under scrutiny, with calls for a more strategic and community-sensitive approach to such deployments.
Local leaders and human rights advocates are urging for calm and cooperation with law enforcement as investigations continue. They stress the importance of due process and the dangers of mob justice, which undermines the rule of law and puts both civilians and officers at risk.
As the nation mourns the loss of both Kahangire and PC Chemonges, the tragic events in Ibanda serve as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between justice, security, and community trust. With the investigation ongoing, the focus remains on ensuring accountability, healing, and restoring public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
