Written By | Jovita Hasto
Frustrated Joseph Tibenderana after finding an empty kraal in Kabale ward Bisheshe Division in Ibanda Municipality. He lost 68 cows and 31 sheep. PHOTO JOVITA HASTO
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Ibanda
Mr Joseph Tibenderana, a cattle farmer from Kalabe Ward, Bisheshe Division in Ibanda Municipality, has raised concern over the theft of 68 cattle and 31 sheep during transportation to a new farm.
Tibenderana said his farm had been under the care of a manager and a guard with whom he had worked for four years.
“I have been with this man for four years, but it came as a surprise that he plotted behind my back to steal my animals instead of transferring them to another farm as I had planned,” he said.
He explained that the land in Bisheshe Division had become too small to accommodate his 68 cattle and 31 sheep, prompting him to relocate the animals to a new farm in Kibubura Village, Ishongororo Town Council, where he had acquired land. “The space had become too small, so I decided to look for land in Kibubura Village and even acquired loans to raise money for farm clearance and maintenance. Unfortunately, the plan did not materialise,” he added.
He later instructed the farm manager to transport the cattle and sheep to the new location.
However, Tibenderana said he later discovered that the manager had sold all the animals instead of transporting them to the new farm in Kitagwenda. “I received information that the animals were not transported to the new place and that the manager had gone missing. I reported the matter to the police on November 6. Later, the manager presented himself at the police station, where he was arrested,” he explained.
Tibenderana accused the offices of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and the District Police Commander (DPC) in Ibanda of allegedly conniving with cattle thieves after he reportedly found some of his cattle in their jurisdiction. “I am very disappointed with the RDC’s office. Some officials connived with suspects and had them released on bond. I have not been helped because of these corrupt officials,” he alleged.
Mr Godfrey Namanya, the LC I chairperson of Kabale Village, said Tibenderana came to his office seeking a letter to enable him to report the theft to the police.
“I know this man. He came to my office when he was bringing his animals to this area and also when they were stolen. He requested a letter to allow him to proceed with the theft case before the authorities,” Namanya said.
He added that animal theft is common in the area, with frequent reports of stolen cattle, sheep, goats and poultry, but noted that Tibenderana’s case was unusually severe.
“We have had cases of theft involving both livestock and crops. We normally arrest suspects, but we have not experienced a case where a resident lost animals in such large numbers,” he said.
Mr Martin Twesigye, a herdsman, said the farm manager had instructed him to wait until he was told to deliver cattle salt and boots to Kitagwenda.
“I tried to reach the manager by phone, but he could not be reached. I then contacted the owner to ask if another caretaker had been brought in, but he was also unaware of what had happened. He is the one who informed me that the animals had been stolen,” Twesigye said.
The Ibanda District Resident District Commissioner, Mr Godfrey Mbetegyereize, said the farm manager is the prime suspect and will be interrogated to explain where the animals were sold.
“The reason the other suspects were released is that the main suspect is already in custody and has vital information about why the animals did not reach the agreed destination,” Mbetegyereize said.
Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson SP Samson Kasasira said police recorded 434 cases of animal theft between January and June 2025, with 37 cases reported in Ibanda District alone.
Torch Media Africa
