An unidentified youth has been burned to death by locals after being caught stealing in Buikwe district.

The incident happened early on July 6, 2024, in Namukuma town, Ssi-Bukunja sub-county in Buikwe district.

According to the locals, the deceased was not a resident of Namutuma and looked to be in his late twenties.

The locals said that the unidentified thief was burned to death because he was caught red-handed stealing from a house by the owner, identified as Kambugu, a resident of Namutuma town. The items include a television set, two sacks of vanilla, and a battery.

‘’Kambugu found the thief in his house and shouted for help, which we offered; however, this is a warning to the rest of the thieves: once you are caught stealing in our area, you pay for your sins with your life,’’ the locals revealed.

During an interview on July 6, 2024, Peter Kyazze, one of the district councilors, revealed that when the deceased was caught red-handed, Kambugu wasprompted to raise an alarm for help, and the locals responded.

He added that, however, the thief managed to escape to Kanga village, where the locals followed him, brought him back to Namutuma town, set fire, and burned him to death.

Kyazze further noted that it was a second time for Kambugu to be robbed, hence why the thief was killed instantly.

‘’The youth in Buikwe district like playing ludo and betting in the morning instead of working, and this is what propels them to steal, which is bad because once they are caught, they are killed instantly,’’ Kyazze disclosed.

He further urged the youth to stop stealing and instead get involved in productive work so that they can earn some money and avoid being killed for petty crimes.

Police from Ngogwe came and removed the deceased’s ashes, and investigations are still underway.