Police in Gomba, together with the Flying Squad Unit (FSU), have arrested 10 suspects highly linked to the continuous theft of cattle from the State Farm in Kirasi, Ddegeya Parish, Maddu Subcounty, in Gomba District.
It is reported that on March 29, 2024, five cows were reported missing from the farm, and the matter was reported at Kajumiro Police Post.
A task team of FSU was dispatched from the Crime Intelligence Headquarters, which established that one Nyanzi Robert, a cattle dealer of Lwekibira village, was buying stolen cows from the State farm.
He was arrested and helped in tracking down five other cattle dealers who were also arrested. These include Aliho Frank, a 29-year-old cattle dealer of Kirasi village; Tatuleka Fred, also of Kirasi village; Tumusiime Godan, a 30-year-old cattle dealer of Kirasi village; Kanyerezi Willy, a 35-year-old dealer of Kajumiro village; and Gumisiriza Godfrey, a businessman of Kajumiro village.
An additional four suspects were also arrested on March 5, 2024, at around 8 pm. These include Bazibumbira Wilson, a 40-year-old veterinary officer attached to the farm; Kirimunte Ronald, a 50-year-old cattle dealer of Kyamabaale village; Byarugaba Matiya, a 56-year-old peasant of Kigoma village; and Gitta Ronald, a 30-year-old manager at the State Farm.
According to the police, they discovered that the dealers conspired with workers at the state farm to steal the cows.
“We will continue to work with our local partners to pursue all those responsible for perpetrating cattle theft from the State Farm and dismantle their criminal racket,” said the police.