Oyam DRDC Nabs Two Over Sale of Dead Chicken and Hands Them Over to Police at Oyam CPS

17 October 2026, 5:30 am

By Eman Yonah Oruk

Police at Oyam Central Police Station are holding two suspects accused of selling dead chicken in Otwe B Village, Obangangeo Parish, Acaba Sub-county, on 16th September 2026.

The suspects have been identified as Okot Denish of Odyek Sami Village and Olwa Samuel of Dwaliro Village, both residents of Abok Sub-county.

The arrest was carried out by the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Oyam, led by Deputy RDC Francis Biahngana, together with the District Security Officer (DiSO). The suspects were intercepted while on their way to Oyam Town Council after being found selling dead chicken in Otwe B Village. They were immediately taken to Oyam Central Police Station for further investigation.

However, Odongo Tom, the driver of the tipper lorry registration number UAT 937Z, who was allegedly transporting the dead chicken, escaped into a nearby bush and is currently on the run.

Speaking to our reporter, Morish Opio, the Vice Chairperson of Otwe B Village, said he discovered the incident after the suspects visited his shop to buy alcohol. Upon leaving, he found them selling dead chicken to residents, prompting him to call for investigations to establish the cause of the chickens’ death for the safety of the community.

Geoffrey Omony, a local resident, confirmed to our reporter that he bought two chickens at 7,000 shillings.

Similarly, Sarah Acio of Otwe A Village expressed shock when she arrived at the trading centre and saw many people crowding to buy the dead chicken. She narrated that one buyer told her that if she did not want cheap chicken during the current hunger situation, she should leave.

The suspects, Okot Denish and Olwa Samuel, admitted to selling the dead chicken to residents of Otwe B Village at prices ranging between 3,000 and 5,000 shillings.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing, as authorities seek to establish the cause of death of the chickens and ensure public safety.

In Uganda, selling dead chicken is illegal under several laws. The main law is The Public Health Act, 1935 (Cap 281) and The Public Health (Meat) Rules, which states that no person shall sell meat that has not been inspected and stamped by a Meat Inspector as fit for human consumption, and dead chicken whose cause of death is unknown is considered unfit for human consumption.