By Jamillah Kemigisa
Residents of Nyarurambi Village, Kasheshe Parish in Buyanja Sub County, Rukungiri District, are reeling in shock after two minors allegedly hacked a 14-year-old boy to death in a gruesome machete attack following accusations of pig theft.
The deceased, identified as Twinamatsiko Kam, was attacked on the evening of Friday, November 7, 2025, by two fellow minors from the same village. According to police reports, the suspects ambushed Twinamatsiko at around 8:00 p.m., accusing him of being involved in the theft of pigs before violently slashing him multiple times with a machete.
Another youth, identified as Edwin Niwenyesiga, was reportedly present at the scene but refused to take part in the assault. Instead, he ran to alert the victim’s relatives, who rushed to intervene.
The critically injured boy was first taken to Nyakibale Hospital and later referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for specialized treatment. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and excessive bleeding while en route to Mbarara.
Confirming the incident, Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, said the two juvenile suspects are in custody at Rukungiri Police Station as investigations continue.
“The suspects, both juveniles, are being held at Rukungiri Police Station. Investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,” Maate stated.
He condemned the growing trend of mob justice and vigilante violence, particularly involving young people, urging communities to rely on lawful processes rather than taking the law into their own hands.
“We urge the public to desist from acts of mob justice. Whenever a crime is suspected, the right procedure is to report the matter to authorities,” Maate emphasized.
The brutal killing has left residents in Nyarurambi Village and neighboring communities in disbelief. Many expressed concern over the increasing involvement of minors in violent acts and the tendency of communities to resort to vigilante justice instead of reporting crimes through official channels.
Police have since opened a murder case file, and the two suspects are expected to be processed through the juvenile court system once investigations are complete.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that cases of mob justice and youth involvement in violent crime are on the rise in southwestern Uganda, particularly in Rukungiri, Kabale, and Kanungu districts. The Uganda Police Force continues to appeal to the public to promote peaceful conflict resolution and to work with law enforcement in curbing violence among young people.
This tragic incident serves as another grim reminder of the consequences of taking the law into one’s own hands and the urgent need for community sensitization against mob justice.
