A 20-year-old man, Wilber Ariho, has been lynched by a mob in Rukungiri, Uganda after he allegedly defiled a 16-year-old girl.

The incident occurred on January 16th, 2024, at around 7:30 PM in Kashanda village, Nyarushanje parish, Rukungiri district.

According to a statement issued by the Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Elly Maate, the victim, a pupil at Nyabushenyi Upper Primary School, was alone at home preparing supper when Ariho, along with another man identified as Ezra Ekyorikunda, found her.

The two men allegedly overpowered the girl, with Ekyorikunda covering her mouth while Ariho proceeded to defile her in a nearby valley. After the assault, the victim managed to escape and return home, where she revealed what had happened.

News of the attack spread quickly, and on the morning of January 17th, a mob of villagers set out to hunt down Ariho and Ekyorikunda.

They managed to find both men and subjected them to a severe beating. Ariho unfortunately succumbed to his injuries, while Ekyorikunda was rescued by police and is currently under arrest.

The police have registered cases of defilement and murder by mob justice at Rubabo Police Station. The body of Ariho has been taken to Kisizi Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.

“Inquiries are at hand,” concluded ASP Maate in the statement