By Enatu Steven
The lynching of George William Olaku, known as “Tabule” in Amasi village, Serere District, has reignited concerns over mob justice and the community’s diminishing trust in law enforcement. Olaku, the prime suspect in the murder of Christine Akello Nakiru, was found dead in a cassava garden after allegedly being killed by unknown individuals.
Olaku had been on the run after allegedly strangling and burning Akello’s body on January 26, 2025. Despite attempts to arrest him, he remained hidden within the community. His killing came shortly after his family paid UGX 7 million in blood compensation and UGX 3.3 million for burial expenses, leading to Akello’s burial in Okodo village, Kateta Sub-county.
According to Simon Okello, the LC2 chairperson of Kakusi Parish, Olaku’s body was retrieved and taken to Serere Mortuary. He expressed that the community had grown frustrated with the justice system, stating, “People were annoyed since the police were not following the matter, and he had been threatening local leaders and residents.”
Olaku’s lynching is not an isolated case. Uganda has seen a disturbing rise in mob justice, with statistics from the Uganda Police Force indicating an increase from 426 mob-related deaths in 2013 to 746 in 2019—a 75% surge. The trend is largely fueled by the public’s distrust in the formal justice system, which many perceive as slow, corrupt, and ineffective in delivering justice.
A 2015 Afrobarometer survey found that one in six Ugandans had either participated in mob justice or would do so if given the chance. Factors contributing to this include delayed prosecutions, suspects being released soon after arrest, and bribery within the police force. In cases of gender-based violence and femicide, victims’ families often settle through blood compensation, allowing perpetrators to evade prosecution.
Local leaders in Serere argue that this cycle of impunity emboldens criminals. Okello pointed to the case of Betty Anyango, who was strangled in July 2024, yet her suspected killer was released within a week. “The lack of accountability emboldens perpetrators. We want to see suspects apprehended and sentenced, but unfortunately, they don’t stay in police custody for long,” he stated.
Deborah Akello, an attorney and founder of Women and Girls Rights Advocacy, condemned the lynching, warning that it reflects a loss of faith in law enforcement. “If the community could access the suspect and kill him, the police had an even better chance to arrest him. But they failed,” she stated. “No one has the right to take another person’s life. Justice should be served in a court of law, not through mob action.”
Akello emphasized that cases of femicide and gender-based violence need urgent attention. “People are tired. They want to see justice. If victims’ families receive compensation and cases are abandoned, more women will continue to die,” she noted, calling on authorities to ensure thorough investigations, timely prosecutions, and community engagement to restore trust in the justice system.
As Uganda grapples with the growing crisis of mob justice, Olaku’s killing serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of a failing legal system. Without swift and effective reforms, communities may continue taking the law into their own hands, perpetuating cycles of violence and impunity.