Two arrested with meat from stolen goats in Iganga

IGANGA, UGANDA: Police in Iganga have arrested two persons for being in possession of 8 slaughtered goats suspected to have been stolen from Ibulanku sub county in Bugweri district, which neighbours Iganga district.

Busoga East Police spokesperson SP Diana Nandawula identified the suspects as Mohammed Samba and Sulaiman Waibi, a son to the chairperson LC 1 Nabidogha ward A in Iganga municipality.

Police says they got a tip-off from the concerned people about the meat which entered the town market in sacks and arrested the duo to explain how they got the meat.

“We have arrested two suspects on allegations of stealing goats, this was done after a tip-off from some residents that the two were carrying meat in the sacks. The duo were arrested and detained at Iganga central police station,” said SP Nandawula.

DailyExpress later identified Sulaiman Waibi (one of the suspects) as Asuman Waibi Dhabasada Abdallah according to his father Waibi Siraji Budallah.

The father of Waibi (suspect) who doubles as the chairperson of Lc1 in Nabidogha Ward A Waibi Siraji says he got information about the incident while he was in town that police had surrounded their home.

“Blood, goat dung and water were found in the basin in his house but we don’t know what’s it for and how he ferried the goats to the house if it’s true. As parents, we are always responsible for children’s physical making but we may not judge their hearts,” Waibi said.

However, the suspect (Waibi) before being arrested said he had stamps for some goats though police said they were forged stamps.

Police made a search at Waibi’s house, found along Abbey Mukwaya road in Iganga town and found a basin containing blood, water and dung.

Iganga municipality veterinary officer was contacted about the matter and guided that the meat should be destroyed citing that it was not fit for human consumption. Police took the meat to Iganga abbatoir and burnt it as recommended by the veterinary doctor, before proceeding with investigations.

“We have contacted the municipality veterinary officer who recommended meat not fit for human consumption and was destroyed,” SP Nandawula said.

Ms Nandawula appealed to farmers especially the livestock keepers to form security committees to beef up security in their homes to curb related cases citing that, as the year comes to an end, there is always an increase in animal theft.

Meanwhile, animal theft in Bugweri and Iganga district is currently rampant, which has left many people in tears according to some leaders in the district.
“The theft of animals in Bugweri has left many poor farmers in tears. It is too much,” says the Woman Member of Parliament Bugweri district, Hon Racheal Magoola alias Obangaina, in a brief engagement with this publication.

The same concern was raised by Ibulanku sub county chairperson Mr Ndhoga Ibrahim, calling upon the perpetrators to desist from the vice.

Early this week, Bumoozi police post in Bugweri district found a hard moment to save two male adults who were accused of animal theft after finding them in possession of three suspected stolen goats. Locals accuses police of arresting suspects and later releasing them without action taken.