Police in the Albertine North Region have issued a warning to landlords, urging them to conduct proper background checks on new tenants, including obtaining introductory letters from previous area chairpersons.
The caution follows a weekend incident in Kirasa 3 Cell, Central Division of Masindi Municipality, where a man only known by the nickname “Landlord” was lynched by a mob after allegedly attacking his landlord, Sam Byabasaija, who is now recovering from injuries.
Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, ACP Damalie Nachuha, the Regional Police Commander for Albertine North, revealed that neither the landlord nor the local LC1 chairperson had any official records or personal details of the suspect.
🎙️ : Nachuha on landlords (English)
Nachuha emphasized the importance of proper tenant screening, urging landlords to know where potential tenants are coming from and to ensure all their personal details are recorded before renting out property.
According to police, Byabasaija had stepped out at night to ease himself when the suspect attacked him. His cries for help alerted neighbors, who responded and beat the suspect to death. Investigations suggest the attack may have been financially motivated, as Byabasaija had earlier given money to his children in the presence of the tenant.
The suspect had only been renting the room for five months before the incident.
🎙️ : Nachuha on incident (English)
Police continue to investigate the case and are calling for increased vigilance among both landlords and community leaders.
