The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation conducted in the early hours of Wednesday, August 12, by officers from Kiruhura District Police, backed by a team from Mbarara Central Police Station.
Police said the operation targeted suspected members of the network operating between Sanga Town Council in Kiruhura and Mbarara City.
Those arrested include Kasujja Dauda, 45, and Mugwisagye Moses, 32, both businessmen and residents of Lubiri Cell, Nyamityobora Ward, Mbarara City South Division.
The other suspects are Mwijuka Julius, 36, a bricklayer from Sanga B Cell, and Muhumuza Felix, 35, a resident of Sanga A Cell, both in Sanga Town Council, Kiruhura District.
Police also arrested Hamuza Swalleh, 70, a butcher and resident of Central Cell, Nyamityobora Ward, Mbarara City South Division, who is alleged to have been a key financier and buyer of meat obtained from the stolen animals.
According to preliminary police findings, the suspects had been targeting livestock in Sanga Town Council and the neighbouring areas of Akayanja, Kanyaryeru and Kikatsi sub-counties.
Police allege that the animals were slaughtered on farms before the meat was transported in backpacks to Mbarara City. The meat was reportedly taken to a rented house linked to one of the suspects before being delivered to Hamuza's butchery at Nyamityobora Market.
The suspects allegedly travelled to Sanga using public transport before moving on foot to targeted kraals. Police said the thefts were mainly carried out between 1am and 4am, with the suspects allegedly targeting the animals for financial gain.
The arrests are part of an intelligence-led operation aimed at disrupting a suspected network involved in livestock theft and the illegal disposal of stolen animals.
The five suspects are currently being held at Sanga Police Station pending transfer to Kiruhura Police Station for further management.
Rwizi Regional Police spokesperson, SP Samson Kasasira, said investigations are ongoing to establish the extent of the network and identify other people who may be involved.
Police have urged livestock owners and members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
More than 1,100 young people from Nakivale Refugee Settlement and neighboring host communities in Is... Read more
News
Ankole Diocese is preparing for a leadership transition in 2027, when the current Bishop, the Rt Rev... Read more
News
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has launched ... Read more
a month ago
News
The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) has p... Read more
2 months ago
News
Stakeholders have called for deliberate and sustained measures to eliminate... Read more
3 months ago
News
Police in Rukungiri have arrested a man in connection with the death of a 6... Read more
2 months ago
News
Ugandans have been urged to use the upcoming Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon ... Read more
2 months ago
News
Parliament’s Tourism, Trade and Industry Committee has launched an inquiry ... Read more
2 months ago
Kasese
Police in Kasese District are investigating circumstances surrounding the d... Read more
2 months ago
