Robbery Suspect Lynched by Mob After Hospital Escape

A 37-year-old man accused of aggravated robbery has been lynched by a mob in Kisoro District after escaping from a hospital bed. 

The deceased, Desire Iradukunda, was killed on Wednesday, at around 10:00 PM in Bupfumfu Village, Rwaramba Parish, Nyakinama Sub-county.  Iradukunda had been arrested last month along with five other suspects (names withheld by police) over an alleged aggravated robbery. 

The group is accused of attacking Kenneth Mucunguzi, a shop attendant working for businessman Michael Turinayo, at Mugomberero Trading Centre in Muramba Sub-county. 

During the incident, the suspects allegedly shot and injured Mucunguzi and made off with 23 million Shillings. Following their arrest, the suspects were transferred to Mbarara Police Station by a police flying squad for further interrogation. 

They were returned to Kisoro Police Station on May 29, 2025. However, Iradukunda reportedly developed health complications and was admitted to Kisoro Police Health Centre. His condition worsened, prompting a referral to Kisoro Hospital on Monday for further medical attention. That night, he escaped from the hospital bed, leaving behind Police Officer No. 58490 Alex Musinguzi, who had been assigned to guard him.

Iradukunda went into hiding until he was spotted loitering around Bufumfu Village on Wednesday night. Locals, upon identifying him, quickly mobilized and beat him to death. Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said Iradukunda’s body was taken to Kisoro Hospital for postmortem. He added that investigations into the matter are ongoing.