By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
KIRUHURA
Police in Rwizi Region have arrested five suspects in an intelligence‑led operation aimed at curtailing rampant cases of cattle theft in Kiruhura district.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of August 12, involved officers from Kiruhura district reinforced by Mbarara Central Police station.
“At around 6:50 a.m., arrests were made in Lubiri Cell, Nyamityobora Ward, Mbarara City South Division,” Police reported. “Five people were arrested.”
The suspects are Kasujja Dauda, 45, businessman and Mugwisagye Moses, 32, businessman, both residents of Lubiri cell, Nyamityobora ward, Mbarara City South Division; Mwijuka Julius 36, a bricklayer and resident of Sanga B cell, Sanga ward, Sanga Town council, Muhumuza Felix, 35, resident of Sanga A Cell, Sanga ward, Sanga Town Council, Kiruhura District, and Hamuza Swalleh a 70 year old butcher, resident of Central cell, Nyamityobora ward, Mbarara City South Division.
The group is accused of terrorizing areas including Sanga Town Council, Akayanja, Kanyaryeru, and Kikatsi subcounties, targeting cows, goats and sheep. Animals were allegedly slaughtered on farms with meat carried in backpacks to Mbarara City.
Police said Hamuza Swalleh, a butcher in Nyamityobora market was the chief funder of the criminal enterprise.The suspects reportedly used public taxis to reach Sanga, then moved on foot to kraals before transporting stolen meat to a rented house owned by Kasujja Dauda, who delivered it to Swalleh’s butchery.
Crimes were typically committed between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m with financial gain identified as the motive. The five suspects are currently detained at Sanga Police station, pending transfer to Kiruhura Police Station for further management as investigations continue.
The regional Police Spokesperson SP Kasasira Samson emphasized that the arrests mark a significant step in dismantling organized cattle theft rings that have long troubled communities in Kiruhura and surrounding areas.
Last month, the Minister for the Presidency Babirye Milly Babalanda warned against increased cases of livestock theft, particularly in the greater Mbarara corridor.
At a press briefing at Uganda Media Centre, Babalanda directed security agencies and Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) to intensify operations against a sharp rise in cattle theft, particularly targeting criminal networks undermining livestock initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the regions.
She said that many of the stolen cattle are sold within Uganda, particularly in Mitooma and Kasese districts, while others are allegedly smuggled across the western border into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
She ordered that no livestock should be transported or traded without valid movement permits and proof of ownership, adding that livestock markets, transport corridors and security checkpoints should be subjected to heightened inspections.
The minister further warned that anyone found transporting, purchasing or facilitating the movement of cattle without the required documentation would be investigated and prosecuted where necessary.
Despite the warnings, livestock theft continues to happen in the cattle-keeping districts of Kiruhura, Kazo and Rwampara. Residents say the practice causes heavy losses to farmers and affects household economic growth.
