By Aggrey Twesigye
www.mknewslink.com
In Kiruhura—
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 carried out by police officers from Kiruhura District, with support from Mbarara Central Police Station (CPS).
According to SP Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region police spokesperson, the operation was conducted around 4am in Lubiri and Nyamityobora cells in Mbarara City South Division, where four suspects were arrested.
They were identified as Kasujja Dauda, 45, and Mugwisagye Moses, 32, both businessmen from Lubiri Cell in Mbarara City, as well as Mwijuka Julius, 36, a bricklayer from Sanga B Cell, and Muhumuza Felix, 35, from Sanga A Cell, both in Sanga Town Council, Kiruhura District.
Police later arrested Hamuza Swalleh, 70, a butcher from Central Cell, Nyamityobora Ward, who is alleged to have been buying meat obtained from the stolen animals.
Kasasira said the suspects had been targeting cattle, goats and sheep in Sanga, Akayanja, Kanyaryeru and Kikatsi areas. The animals were allegedly slaughtered on farms, after which the meat was carried in backpacks to Mbarara City.
Police said the group travelled to Sanga using public taxis before walking to targeted kraals. They would later return to the main road with the meat and transport it to Mbarara, where it was taken to a rented house belonging to Kasujja before being delivered to Hamuza’s butchery at Nyamityobora Market.
Kasasira said the 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 for further management as investigations continue.
Kasasira said inquiries into the matter are still ongoing.