UGANDA When the elderly woman was caught stealing, local residents did not let it go. Instead of the usual street justice involving violence, in her case they resorted to more humiliating practices. They poured flour over her and doused her with oil in front of everyone watching, right in the middle of the street.
In Uganda, as in many other African countries, people have no trust in the police or official state justice. Taking the law into their own hands is, in their view, the only way to achieve justice for thieves. Unfortunately, this is often true, because the police are lazy and corrupt. Solving the problem therefore requires not only a change in people’s mindset but also reform of the police and state institutions.
