A bold night-time livestock raid has ended in handcuffs for three men accused of stealing and slaughtering goats in Namanyonyi Wabigalo village, Wabinyonyi sub-county.
The suspects — Mutyaba Fred, Sentamu Sula, and Musinguzi John — are now in police custody as investigations into a wave of animal thefts in the region intensify.
According to police, the incident took place on the night of April 12, 2025, at the farm of Nyamudongo Emmanuel.
Authorities believe the theft was premeditated. Mutyaba Fred is said to have initiated contact with Sentamu Sula a day earlier, proposing what police described as a “goat theft deal.”
Sula reportedly arrived on a motorcycle with an unidentified accomplice. The pair met with Musinguzi John, who is accused of guiding them directly to the farm under the cover of darkness.
Once at the location, the suspects allegedly rounded up several goats and slaughtered them on-site before attempting to flee with the meat.
But the crime didn’t go unnoticed.
Local residents, tipped off by suspicious activity, mobilized quickly.
Although the suspects escaped immediate capture, the motorcycle used in the theft was set ablaze by the angry community — a sign of growing frustration over repeated livestock thefts in the area.
“This is not an isolated case,” a police spokesperson said. “We believe this group may be part of a wider network targeting farms across the Savannah Region.”
The suspects were later tracked down and arrested by territorial police in Nakasongola. All three are being held as investigators work to establish links to other recent thefts. More arrests are expected.
Livestock theft has become a major concern for farmers in the region, with many calling for increased patrols and harsher penalties.
For now, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
“We’re taking this very seriously,” the police spokesperson added. “We will not allow criminal elements to destabilize our farming communities.”
