By Aggrey Twesigye
Police in Rwizi Region have arrested five suspects accused of stealing cattle, goats and sheep in Kiruhura District and selling the meat in Mbarara City.
The suspects were arrested on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation conducted by police from Kiruhura District, with support from Mbarara Central Police Station.
Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson SP Samson Kasasira says the operation was conducted at around 4am in Lubiri and Nyamityobora cells in Mbarara City South Division, where four suspects were arrested.
They are Kasujja Dauda, 45; Mugwisagye Moses, 32; Mwijuka Julius, 36; and Muhumuza Felix, 35.
Police later arrested Hamuza Swalleh, 70, a butcher from Central Cell, Nyamityobora Ward, who is accused of buying meat obtained from the stolen animals.
Kasasira says the suspects had been targeting livestock in Sanga, Akayanja, Kanyaryeru and Kikatsi areas of Kiruhura District.
The animals were allegedly slaughtered on farms, with the meat carried in backpacks to Mbarara City.
Police say the suspects travelled to Sanga by public taxis before walking to targeted kraals. They would then return to the main road with the meat and transport it to Mbarara, where it was reportedly taken to a rented house belonging to Kasujja before being delivered to Hamuza’s butchery at Nyamityobora Market.
Kasasira says the alleged thefts were mainly carried out between 1am and 4am for financial gain.
The five suspects are being held at Sanga Police Station and are expected to be transferred to Kiruhura Police Station as investigations continue.
Kasasira says police inquiries into the matter are ongoing.
