By Okidi Patrick
Reckless Driving, Shooting, and Mob Justice Erupt at Lira Construction Site
LIRA, UGANDA– December 6, 2025 – A shocking sequence of events unfolded at a road construction site in Lira-City West Division yesterday evening, involving a reckless driver, a security guard being hit, a shooting incident, and subsequent mob justice. Traffic police in Lira are now investigating the serious accident that left one person hospitalized and the driver in custody.
The incident occurred on Thursday, December 5, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM at Jinja Camp. According to a statement from SP PJ Okema, Public Relations Officer for North Kyoga Region, a white Howo truck with registration number KDB 102N/ZE 1502, driven by Muteti Alexander Mutuku, a Kenyan national, was traveling at high speed.
Upon reaching the road construction site, a flag man attempted to signal the driver to stop using a red flag. However, the driver allegedly ignored the signal, proceeded recklessly, and knocked down plastic road barriers. The flag man narrowly escaped harm by running for his life.
Tragically, the vehicle then struck Apita Boniface, a security guard who was on duty guarding the construction site. In a further alarming turn, the driver allegedly began reversing the truck, seemingly with the intention to run over the injured security guard again.
At this point, a colleague working with Apita Boniface intervened, firing four bullets at the Howo truck. The sound of the gunshots, combined with the unfolding chaos, drew an angry mob who quickly surrounded the vehicle. Before police could arrive, the mob reportedly cornered and severely beat both the driver, Muteti Alexander Mutuku, and his turn man.
Police officers, led by OC Station ASP Okello Allan and assisted by PC Komakec Kagwa, arrived at the scene and rescued the driver and turn man from the mob. The injured security guard, Apita Boniface, was immediately rushed to the hospital for urgent treatment.
The implicated vehicle has been impounded and transported to the Lira-City West Division headquarters, where it awaits inspection by an Inspector of Vehicles (IOV). A case of a serious road accident has been registered, and the driver, Muteti Alexander Mutuku, is currently detained in police cells as investigations continue.
SP PJ Okema expressed concern over the recurring nature of such incidents. “It’s not the first time we are experiencing such incidents. Most drivers and other road users are impatient,” he stated. “We appeal to all to respect the workers on road construction sites to avoid such unfortunate occurrences.”
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