Mama Super Market staff arrested over assault of Agali CDO accused of shop lifting
By Denish Ongora (denish.ongora@vol.co.ug)
Lira
Lira City Police have arrested a staff member of Mama Shopping Centre following allegations of assaulting Abonyo Judith, the Community Development Officer (CDO) of Agali Sub-County, who had been accused of shoplifting.
Assistant Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Bonny Ferdinand Okello Alele directed the police to summon the supermarket’s supervisor and the staff members involved in the incident.
Okello Alele confirmed the arrest, emphasizing that the actions of Mama Shopping Centre staff were unlawful, as the law requires proper legal procedures to handle suspected offenders.
Abonyo said that she had purchased items worth UGX 32,000 from the supermarket, but a cashier who offered her service falsely claimed she had not paid. She was then detained and led to a small room where one staff member allegedly assaulted her while others recorded the incident on video.
Abonyo added that she was released only after CCTV footage confirmed her payment.
The Mwonya clan, to which Abonyo belongs, strongly condemned the incident and pledged to pursue legal action against Mama Shopping Centre. Isa Otto Amiza, the clan’s speaker, vowed to ensure that Abonyo is compensated for the ordeal.
Otto also criticized the growing prevalence of mob justice in the region, particularly against individuals accused of theft.
A case of assault has been officially registered at Lira Central Police Station under SD Ref 49/20/01/2025.
Despite the growing public backlash, Mama Shopping Centre’s management has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident, which occurred on January 19- 2025.
