The Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Mityana has remanded Owen Godfrey Membe to Mityana Government Prison on charges of animal cruelty following his arraignment over allegations linked to the mistreatment of animals.
Presiding over the matter, Magistrate Amon Mugezi ordered the suspect’s detention pending further hearing of the case scheduled for May 27, 2026. The court said additional time was needed to review the circumstances surrounding the matter and consider the suspect’s bail application.
Membe appeared before court and pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him through a joint prosecution led by several animal welfare organizations, including the Animal Justice Centre, Animal Welfare Alliance Uganda, the Uganda Veterinary Council, and We Won’t Be Scammed.
The organizations, which advocate for the protection and promotion of animal rights in Uganda and beyond, were represented by Counsel Ambrose Kibuuka for Animal Welfare Alliance Uganda and Counsel Edwin Ssemyalo for Animal Justice Centre.
According to the prosecution, the suspect is accused of acts that allegedly violated Uganda’s Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) Act.
During the proceedings, Magistrate Mugezi formally read the charges to the accused, who denied all allegations.
Membe later applied for bail, but the court declined to immediately consider the request after it emerged that he had presented only one surety, identified as his father.
“The court requires at least two credible sureties before a bail application can be considered,” Magistrate Mugezi reportedly informed the accused.
The magistrate directed Membe to formally reapply for bail when he returns to court on May 27, 2026.
Under Uganda’s Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) Act, it is an offence for any person to subject animals to cruel treatment, including beating, kicking, overworking, torturing, overloading, or causing unnecessary suffering through neglect or reckless actions.
The law also prohibits transporting animals in ways that expose them to pain or distress, administering harmful substances without valid justification, and carrying out surgical or physical operations on animals without proper care and humane consideration.
In addition, the legislation criminalizes the killing of animals in an unnecessarily cruel manner.
Legal experts note that penalties under the law were strengthened through the Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act of 2023. Previously, offenders faced a fine of Shs120,000 or imprisonment of up to three months.
The revised law forms part of broader efforts to strengthen enforcement against animal cruelty and improve animal welfare standards in Uganda.
The case has attracted public attention amid growing concerns raised by animal welfare activists over the alleged abuse and exploitation of animals in the country.
Court proceedings are expected to resume on May 27, 2026, when the court will further consider the suspect’s bail application and continue hearing the substantive charges against him.