By Solomon Hamala
IGANGA
Police in Iganga are holding a prominent businessman for alleged theft of a cow.
The accused, Ibrahim Bazibu 35 was arrested with the cow already slaughtered at the Iganga municipal council abattoir yesterday 11th January 2022 after heavily armed police raided the area.
Police is also hunting for the LC One chairman Nabidhoga B village, Iganga Municipality, Siraji Waibi also father to the accused to answer charges of theft.
Buyinza said he was given the cow to take to the abattoir by his father who claimed he was travelling to Kampala the same morning.
“My father told me to take back shillings 2 million upon selling all the meat at the end of the day,” he said.
The owner of the cow, Tolofaina Biryeyi said some unknown thugs raided her home in Bulamagi village, Bulamagi Sub County and broke into the kraal before taking away her animal three (now 4) days back.
“I put up announcements on all radio stations in the district but I was left disappointed,” she said.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Iganga, Deborah Mwesigwa expressed concern over the increased in cases involving theft of animals like cows, goats in the area.
Mwesigwa said the district security committee is soon to convene a meeting to find ways of addressing the problem.
Last year, 42 people were lynched by angry mobs after being caught red-handed with stolen cows and goats in Iganga district.
The Police Spokesperson Busoga East, Diana Nandawula said the chairman Iganga meat sellers association is also being held for questioning to establish circumstances under which cattle could have been brought into the abattoir without clear documentation.
Buyinza is a prominent businessman in Iganga operating several retail and wholesale shops dealing in household merchandise.
There was panic amongst traders in Iganga central market as heavily armed police surrounded the entire market premises before impounding 54 kilograms believed to be meat that had been stolen.
Nandawula said the accused is to soon appear before court to answer charges of theft.
The accused had earlier approached the complainant asking her to settle the matter out of court by offering her shillings 2 million but she declined.
