Police in Nakaseke District have arrested nine suspects after an intelligence-led operation intercepted two trucks transporting 40 cattle, 12 goats and eight sheep suspected to have been stolen.
The operation was conducted on Tuesday at about 2:00pm along the Kapeeka–Semuto Road, leading to the impounding of trucks UBP 242G and UBN 758D and the recovery of the animals.
According to Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson ASP Sam Twiineamazima, the suspects were taken to Nakaseke Central Police Station as investigations into the suspected livestock theft continue.
The suspects have been identified as Vicent Ssebuuma, a transporter; Brian Lukwago; Vicent Ssentongo; Vicent Ssenyondo; Peter Ssebagala; Benon Tumuhairwe; Jamalu Kyazze; Sam Mulindwa, a transporter and truck driver; and Ismail Wadimba.
Twiineamazima said police established discrepancies between the number of animals found on the trucks and the details contained in the livestock movement permits presented by the suspects.
“One truck was carrying 23 cattle, four goats and two sheep, yet the movement permit authorised only 19 cattle and did not include goats or sheep. The second truck was transporting 17 cattle, eight goats and six sheep, while its permit indicated only 12 cattle and similarly made no mention of goats or sheep,” he said.
Police said both permits indicated that the livestock had been loaded from Ngoma Cattle Market earlier that day.
The recovered animals are being kept at Nakaseke Central Police Station as exhibits as authorities work to identify their rightful owners.
Police have appealed to farmers and members of the public who recently lost livestock to visit the station and inspect the recovered animals.
“We call upon anyone who suspects they have lost livestock to report to Nakaseke Central Police Station and inspect the recovered animals. Investigations are ongoing to establish the rightful owners and determine the full extent of this suspected livestock theft network,” Twiineamazima said.
The arrests come as police intensify efforts to combat livestock theft, a persistent challenge affecting farmers across the Greater Luweero sub-region, particularly in Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the origin of the animals and whether the suspects are linked to a wider livestock theft syndicate.
