Amos Mugumya former Mitoozo Parish councillor in Kashare Sub-county at Rubinda Police station on allegations of stealing 28 goats
By Aggrey Twesigye
The Mbarara District Security Committee has raised concern over rising cases of livestock theft, with at least 50 suspects arrested in the past month.
Mbarara District Resident Commissioner Nicholas Nuwagira says the suspects were arrested in connection with animal theft, which has become a major concern for farmers who continue to suffer significant losses.
Nuwagira says the recent security committee meeting resolved to deploy more personnel from different security agencies and intensify patrols and intelligence operations to curb the vice.
He says the action follows the arrest of former Mitoozo Parish councillor Amos Mugumya in Kashare Sub-county over allegations of stealing 28 goats.
Mugumya was arrested on Saturday after a resident of Bisya Cell, Rubindi, reported that the goats had gone missing. Police deployed a canine that reportedly tracked the animals to the suspect’s home, where all the goats were recovered.
Nuwagira says Mugumya has since been transferred to Bwizibwera Police Station for further investigations.
Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson Samson Kasasira says intelligence reports indicate that stolen livestock is often transported to neighbouring districts, while some animals are allegedly smuggled across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to the 2025 Police Annual Crime Report, 7,208 cases of animal theft were reported countrywide in 2025, compared to 7,222 cases in 2024, representing a 0.2% decrease. Rwizi Region registered the highest number of cases with 857, while Isingiro and Kazo recorded 165 and 148 cases respectively.
