By Nathan Eyagu 

SOROTI - A suspected member of the infamous "Owok-Wok" gang is in critical condition after being viciously beaten by an angry mob in Soroti City. The mob attack occurred on Wednesday night near Moruapesur Rock, a known hideout for criminals operating in the area.

At around 7:39 PM, police were called to Moruapesur Ward after receiving a report of a man being attacked by a group of young men by a concerned citizen, who wished to remain anonymous, reported the brutal beating, stating that the victim was suspected of stealing a mobile phone.

The victim, later identified as Elungat Joseph, a 21-year-old resident of Ongongoja Village in Katakwi District, was accused of being part of a gang that has been terrorizing Soroti City. 

Elungat, along with his accomplices, allegedly targeted 21-year-old Eriamu Jonathan, a student and resident of Kichinjaji Ward. According to witnesses, the gang ambushed Eriamu near Moruapesur Rock, where they robbed him of his Tecno Pop 7 smartphone, valued at UGX 345,000. Armed with a knife, Elungat attempted to intimidate Eriamu, but the student fought back, managing to disarm him and call for help.

The situation quickly escalated as nearby residents responded to Eriamu’s cries. Enraged by the frequent attacks in the area, the crowd turned on Elungat, beating him severely. The mob used sharp and blunt objects in the attack, leaving him with serious injuries to his neck, cheeks, and shoulders.

The police, acting on a tip-off, arrived at the scene just in time to rescue Elungat from the mob. He was immediately rushed to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, where he remains under close medical supervision. Despite his life-threatening injuries, hospital officials report that he is responding well to treatment.

The police later confirmed that Elungat is a suspected member of the "Owok-Wok" gang, a group responsible for a series of robberies and violent crimes across Soroti City. Further investigations revealed that the gang had gathered earlier that evening at Moruapesur Rock, where they plotted to carry out several robberies. Dividing into two groups, the gang members positioned themselves near Rock View Primary School and Crossroads Secondary School, waiting to ambush unsuspecting pedestrians.

Although Elungat is now in police custody, his accomplices—identified as Okiror, Alex, and several others—remain at large. The police have launched a manhunt for the suspects, vowing to bring the entire "Owok-Wok" gang to justice. A knife, believed to belong to Elungat, was recovered at the scene and is currently undergoing forensic analysis.

Meanwhile, the victim, Eriamu Jonathan, is also receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the robbery. Despite the ordeal, Eriamu is expected to make a full recovery.

In a statement, ASP Obukulem Edison, Acting PRO for East Kyoga, urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. “We understand the community’s frustration with crime, but mob justice is not the solution. It undermines the rule of law and often leads to more harm than good,” he said.

Edison emphasized that the police are actively pursuing the remaining gang members and asked the public to provide any information that could lead to their capture. “We need the community’s cooperation to bring these criminals to justice and restore peace to Soroti City.”

As the hunt for the elusive "Owok-Wok" gang intensifies, Soroti City remains on edge. Residents, weary from the string of robberies and violent encounters, are hoping this latest incident signals the beginning of the end for the notorious gang as the police continue their efforts to ensure that justice is served for both the victims and the perpetrators of these crimes.