"A public trial is to be conducted to ensure that justice is not only done, but seen to be done," UPDF spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, said in a statement he posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, December 13.

He said the UPDF noted with "extreme concern" the video which circulated on social media, showing the victim bound and suspended by ropes being flogged inside a building by both soldiers and civilians.

Giving what he called facts, Kulayigye said the victim had been arrested by civilians in Lagot on suspicion of being a thief and they declined to take him to the Police, choosing to carry out mob justice.

"The locals contacted the RDC (Residence District Commissioner) Kitgum who discouraged them against mob justice. The LC3 chairman and GISO (Gombolola Intelligence Security Officer) then chose to take the suspect to a local UPDF detach where the detach commander regrettably allowed this heinous act, without the knowledge of his unit commander," he said.

"The UPDF condemns mob justice, whether by civilians or soldiers. No one has a right to administer such punishment as corporal punishment and any form of torture are unconstitutional in the laws of Uganda. The laws provide a clear procedure guiding the arrest/detention of suspects. The UPDF