Bukomansimbi Farmers Resort to Mob Justice Amid Rising Coffee Thefts

Summary:

• Farmers in Bukomansimbi district are taking drastic measures against rising coffee thefts, including mob justice, burning vehicles used by thieves, and imposing a curfew. While residents are frustrated with police inaction, authorities warn that such actions could lead to more lawlessness.

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Farmers and traders in Bukomansimbi district have resorted to drastic measures in response to a sharp increase in coffee thefts. Criminals have been raiding coffee plantations and storage facilities, prompting local residents to take matters into their own hands. In a security meeting held at Kikuuta trading centre in Kitanda sub-county, the community decided to implement severe actions to deter thieves, including burning vehicles used in thefts, confiscating and auctioning the property of suspects, and taking punitive action against brokers dealing in stolen coffee.

Residents also imposed an 8 pm curfew on the transportation of coffee and livestock and are organizing security teams for nightly patrols. Kitanda sub-county chairperson Joseph Kamuli expressed frustration over the police’s inability to control the escalating thefts and robberies. He emphasized that in many cases, offenders are released by police only to return and continue their crimes, leaving the community with little choice but to take action themselves.

Prominent coffee farmer Francis Ssebwana highlighted the damaging impact of these thefts, noting that criminals often destroy coffee trees to hide stolen beans, thus ruining the quality of coffee intended for export. The community hopes these severe measures will discourage further criminal activity.

However, Bukomansimbi’s deputy resident district commissioner, Fred Kalemba Pax, warned against mob justice, urging cooperation with security forces. He revealed that the district recently acquired a sniffer dog to aid in tracking down criminals. Kalemba called for community support in apprehending suspects while allowing the law to take its course, recalling how past cooperation had helped reduce crime in the area.

While the community’s actions are driven by a sense of urgency, authorities caution that mob justice could worsen lawlessness and further destabilize the area.