Increase In Coffee Theft Leads To Mob Brutality In Uganda – CoffeeTalk

Police in Kassanda District are investigating the circumstances surrounding a man who lost both of his hands following a mob attack on Tuesday night at Kalagala Village, Kassanda Sub-county. Bosco Senkima, a 40-year-old resident of Katikandegera Village in neighboring Kijuna Sub-county, was caught red-handed by angry residents stealing coffee beans from a garden owned by one Luboyera. Senkima was apprehended by locals who then took matters into their own hands.

Racheal Kawala, the Wamala regional police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and stated that police were informed about it after Senkima had already been taken to Kassanda Health Centre IV for treatment. The community took action by severing Senkima’s palms as a warning to other thieves who target coffee plantations. They hope this teaches others who steal and that they invest a lot of money in their coffee plantations but often suffer losses because of thieves like him.

Coffee theft has become a significant issue in the region, especially as coffee has become a lucrative commodity in the last year and a half, with exports reaching record highs. As of March 19, 2025, Uganda’s coffee prices fluctuate daily, with farm gate prices ranging from Shs 7,800 to Shs 8,500 per kilogram for Kiboko (unprocessed beans) and Shs 15,500 to Shs 16,000 for FAQ or Kase (processed beans).

Josephine Bonirishe, Senkima’s wife, expressed her shock upon seeing her husband’s severed palms when he returned home late on Tuesday night. She called the LC 1 chairperson, who then took him to Kassanda Health Centre for treatment and then went to Kassanda Police Station to report the incident. In a brief interview with The Monitor from his hospital bed, Senkima explained that he lost his hands while allegedly harvesting coffee in Luboyera’s garden.

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