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Police shoot woman dead in attempt to foil mob justice
What you need to know:
- The couple had reportedly separated, but on Wednesday night, Kakande attacked the wife armed with a hoe. Namuddu on seeing danger, ASP Ochom said, he escaped from the house and locked her husband inside the house.
A woman has been shot dead by police as they fought off a mob that wanted to lynch a widow whose husband had committed suicide after a domestic wrangle.
The incident happened at Katikandegeya, Kitumbi Sub County, Kasanda District at 1.30am on Thursday.
The Wamala regional police spokesman, ASP Norbert Ochom, confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Brenda Nanyonjo.
"She succumbed to injuries and died. A case of murder has been opened and investigations are ongoing," Mr Ochom said.
The incident stems from a domestic wrangle between a one Julius Kakande and his wife Ruth Namuddu.
The couple had reportedly separated, but on Wednesday night, Kakande attacked the wife armed with a hoe. Namuddu on seeing danger, ASP Ochom said, he escaped from the house and locked her husband inside the house.
She returned with police and local officials, only to find out that her husband had hanged himself, which angered his relatives who were suspicious of foul play.
The deceased’s relatives attempted to lynch the widow but police protected her from the attackers.
"Residents turned anger to police and local council officials who they pelted stones," ASP Ochom said.
Police officers fired bullets in the air to disperse angry residents, but they only continued with the attack.
In his version, ASP Ochom said livid residents attempted to disarm a police officer, prompting him to fire six bullets and one hit Brenda Nanyonjo.
"The body has been taken to the mortuary for a post mortem," he said. The residents were later dispersed.
