Thugs break into Napak cold chain, steal FMD vaccines and laptop computer 

14 July 2026, 6:46 am

By Alexander Mackey Okori

Police in Napak district have launched investigations into an incident, in which a group of unidentified thugs on the night of July 12, 2026, broke into the district cold chain facility and stole a laptop computer and a consignment of livestock vaccines worth unspecified amount of money.

The incident was reported at Lokitedet police station by Olupot Stephen, 36, a Lab Technician at Napak Local Government, and resident of Boma North Cell, Moroto Municipality on Monday, July 13, 2026 at around 8:00 a.m.

The thugs still at large forced their way into the facility through the window and fled with a laptop and a consignment of unspecified Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines, Javasplasm C vaccines, donated to the district by the Food and Agricultural Organisation through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal, Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).

In a statement issued last evening, Mike Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson, said that upon receiving the report, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) Paul Okorol and Officer In-Charge of Lokitedet Police Station responded and cordoned the scene.

“The two police officers later alerted the District Police Commander (DPC) of Napak Central Police Station (CPS), who dispatched a team of detectors who documented the crime scene, recorded statements from the first responder and officer bearer and other staff”, the statement reads in part. 

According to Longole, the police detectives with the help of a police canine unit have since managed to identify persons whose particulars have been withheld to aid with the ongoing investigations.

He condemned the theft, warning that the stolen vaccines are essential for safeguarding livestock health and protecting the livelihoods of livestock farmers across Karamoja, where animal husbandry is a major economic activity.

“Police condemn the theft of vaccines. These vaccines are critical for livestock health and the livelihoods of farmers in Karamoja. Tampering with or selling stolen vaccines is dangerous and illegal”, Longole said in a statement.

He urged members of the public with information regarding whereabouts of suspects behind this night burglary or the stolen items to report immediately to the nearest Police Station.

The incident raises concerns over the security of critical veterinary supplies in the Karamoja subregion.