Operatives from the Police Crime Intelligence Directorate and Flying Squad have arrested 10 people including the farm manager and veterinary officer over theft of cows from the State House Farm in Kirasi, in Gomba district.
The farm in Degeya parish, Maddu sub county in Gomba is also known as Kisozi farm.
Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said the arrest followed the mysterious disappearance of five cows from the farm on March, 29 at around 10am.
“In unravelling the cattle theft racket, we discovered that cattle dealers conspired with workers at the state farm, to steal the cows,” Enanga said.
He said in the resultant operation, it was established that Robert Nyanzi, a cattle dealer was in charge of buying stolen cows from the farm and that his arrest led to tracking down of four other dealers.
They were also arrested.
Enanga mentioned the other dealers as Frank Ariho, Fred Tatulena, Godan Tumusiime and Godfrey Gumisiriza, a businessman.
Enter farm manager
The police spokesperson said following interrogation, operatives from the Flying Squad arrested Ronald Gitta, a manager at the farm, Wilson Bazibumbira, a veterinary officer at the farm, Matiya Byarugaba and Robert Nyanzi.
“We will continue to work with our local partners to pursue all those responsible for perpetrating cattle theft from the state farm, and dismantle their criminal racket. The intelligence led operations are continuous and we like to applaud our Flying Squad teams and the territorial units in Gomba, for their efforts,” Enanga said..
Cases of theft of cows from President Museveni’s farm have been on for a long time.
For example in 2022, three people were arrested over theft of cows from the same farm.