Bwamiramira officer, accomplice arrested for cattle theft

21 January 2025, 10:23 am

By Kato Joseph

Police in Kibaale district have arrested the Bwamiramira subcounty Assistant Animal Husbandry Officer, Vincent Babyesiza, on allegations of stealing cattle in the district.

He was arrested alongside Noah Bamuhiga, a butcher operating in Kabasekende Trading Center, who is suspected to be his accomplice.

Moses Kitamirike, the DPC Kibaale, said the duo was apprehended yesterday on suspicion of stealing cattle from the farm of Rusoke Asaba, a resident of Nyabusojo Village.

According to Kitamirike, last Saturday, Flora Atugonza, a casual worker at Rusoke’s farm, reported the cattle theft to Kabasekende Police Post, prompting investigations.

On Sunday, the skin of the stolen cow was discovered at the suspect’s slaughterhouse, leading to their arrest by Kabasekende Police.

In his statement following the arrest, Babyesiza claimed that the slaughtered cow had been purchased from Peter Semite of Kineka B Village in Bwamiramira subcounty. However, when Peter was summoned by DPC Kitamirike, he confessed to selling the cow to Babyesiza but denied allegations that it was stolen from Rusoke’s farm.

Kitamirike added that after initial investigations, the suspects were granted police bond as inquiries into the allegations continue.

The KDR FM News team has learned that Babyesiza paid Shs 3 million to the complainant, Rusoke, in an attempt to silence the allegations.

However, during the last Saturday Development Space program, Joseph Ayesiga, the OC Kibaale Police Station, assured the public that they would no longer grant police bonds to suspects involved in the theft of animals, as per a presidential directive.