Written By | Joshua Nahamya
Moses Mugwisagye and Dauda Kasujja netted from Mbarara as part of cattle thieves in Kiruhura
Search
KIRUHURA
Police have arrested five suspects following a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by law enforcement officers from Kiruhura District and Mbarara Central Police Station (CPS), targeting a livestock theft racket operating across the Rwizi region. The multi-agency crackdown targeted an alleged organised syndicate behind a wave of livestock slaughter and illegal meat trafficking spanning Kiruhura District and Mbarara City.
Some of the items recovered with meat from stolen cattle in Kiruhura
Joint Operation and Arrests
Detailing the intelligence-led operation, Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson SP Samson Kasasira confirmed that officers carried out coordinated sweeps in Mbarara City South Division and Kiruhura District early Wednesday morning.
“Yesterday, August 12, 2026, at around 0400hrs, a team of police officers from Kiruhura District, reinforced by Mbarara CPS, conducted an intelligence-led operation in Lubiri Cell, Nyamityobora Ward, Mbarara City South Division,” Kasasira stated.
“At around 0650hrs, officers arrested two primary suspects: 45-year-old businessman Kasujja Dauda and 32-year-old businessman Moses Mugwisagye, both residents of Lubiri Cell.”
Kasasira added that simultaneous arrests were carried out in Sanga Town Council to apprehend other key operatives allegedly linked to the ring.
“During the same hour, officers apprehended two additional suspects in Kiruhura District,” Kasasira explained. “These include 36-year-old bricklayer Mwijuka Julius, a resident of Sanga B Cell, and 35-year-old Felix Muhumuza, a resident of Sanga A Cell, both from Sanga Ward, Sanga Town Council.”
Suspected Syndicate Mastermind and Buyer Arrested
Follow-up interrogations by investigating teams led to the identification and arrest of the alleged mastermind and principal buyer in the illicit meat trade.
“Upon interrogation, the arrested group revealed the key receiver who has been purchasing all the meat harvested from stolen cattle, goats and sheep,” Kasasira disclosed.
“He was identified as 70-year-old butcher Hamuza Swalleh, a resident of Central Cell, Nyamityobora Ward, Mbarara City South Division.”
According to preliminary police findings, the criminal syndicate targeted agricultural communities across Sanga Town Council, Sanga, Akayanja, Kanyaryeru and Kikatsi sub-counties.
“Our investigation indicates that this group of four has been terrorising local kraals by slaughtering cows, goats and sheep directly on farms,” Kasasira said.
“They would pack the meat into backpacks and transport it back to Mbarara City. Hamuza Swalleh acted as the primary financier of these criminal activities, retailing the stolen meat through his butchery located in Nyamityobora Market.”
Hamuza Swalleh netted with stolen meat in bags being carried to his butcher in Nyamityobora ward Mbarara City
How the Suspects Allegedly Operated
Kasasira said the suspects relied on public transportation and off-peak hours to evade detection at security checkpoints.
“The suspects routinely boarded public taxis to Sanga Town Council and proceeded on foot to targeted kraals,” Kasasira noted.
“After slaughtering the animals, they trekked back to the main Mbarara Road to transport the meat in backpacks directly to the rented house of Kasujja Dauda, who then delivered the stock to Hamuza Swalleh’s butchery.”
Kasasira added that the group allegedly carried out its operations between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., primarily motivated by financial gain.
“All five suspects are currently detained at Sanga Police Station pending transfer to Kiruhura District Police Headquarters for further management,” Kasasira confirmed.
“Inquiries into the matter remain active as police continue to trace additional links in the network.”
Livestock Theft Raises Concern Across Western Uganda
The operation comes amid reports of an increase in livestock theft across parts of the Ankole and cattle corridor sub-regions.
Security forces and local authorities in the Greater Bushenyi, Ibanda, Kashari and Mbarara areas have reported concerns over cattle theft, nocturnal farm raids and alleged illegal meat trade networks.
Farmers in the affected areas have reported financial losses attributed to organised gangs that allegedly target private kraals at night, slaughter livestock on-site or move animals across district borders to supply urban butcheries.
Regional security commanders have reassured the public that intelligence-led operations and joint inter-district efforts will continue as authorities work to dismantle criminal networks targeting livestock farmers.
