By Jamillah Kemigisa
A police officer was killed by a mob during a burial ceremony in Ibanda District on Friday, in a tragic incident rooted in ongoing tensions over a local land dispute.
Police Constable Suleiman Chemonges, 28, attached to Bisheshe Police Station in Ibanda Municipality, was deployed to provide security at the funeral of Kahangire Razarro, a 47-year-old inmate who had died at Nyabuhikye Government Prison. Razarro had been on remand, facing charges of attempted murder related to a contentious land conflict.
According to Rwizi Region Police spokesperson, ASP Samson Kasasira, the situation escalated shortly after Chemonges arrived at the burial site.
“When the officer reached the venue, some mourners accused him of being responsible for Kahangire’s death and of siding with those complicating the land dispute,” Kasasira said.
The angry crowd then turned on the officer, fatally assaulting him in a brutal attack that has shocked the community.
The Uganda Police Force has strongly condemned the killing and launched a full investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. Authorities have also called for calm as they work to restore order in the area.
“This tragic incident is a painful reminder of how unresolved land conflicts and mistrust of law enforcement can spiral into violence,” Kasasira added. “We are committed to pursuing justice for our fallen officer and rebuilding community trust.”
Land disputes are a persistent source of conflict across Uganda, particularly in rural areas like Ibanda. Factors such as poor land documentation, inheritance disagreements, and unclear boundaries often lead to protracted legal battles—and sometimes violence.
The case involving Razarro had reportedly heightened local tensions, with his arrest and subsequent death in custody viewed by some community members as a miscarriage of justice. Amid these heightened emotions, Chemonges’ presence at the burial was seen as inflammatory, triggering the deadly attack.
This incident underscores the urgent need for more effective land dispute resolution systems, improved community-police relations, and greater efforts to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public.
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