Gulu City police have detained six individuals in connection with a series of livestock thefts. The arrests took place early on August 12, 2024, at Cereleno Market, where the suspects were found skinning four goats and a cow suspected to have been stolen.
The suspects have been identified as Christopher Tumwesigye, 34; Walter Awiyo, 32; Brian Wamala, 30; Kenneth Okot, 32; Fred Kaffero, 27; and Michael Akena, 43. They were apprehended following a tip-off from local residents who reported seeing the suspects skinning the animals in the rain.
According to police reports, Walter Awiyo, a bodaboda rider from Kamdini Town Council in Oyam District, stated that he was hired to transport the animals to Cereleno Market. At the market, Christopher Tumwesigye was supposed to receive the animals and pay for their transport. Tumwesigye, in turn, claimed that he was instructed to skin and sell the animals, but he did not know they were stolen.
Robert Roman Olanya, a private veterinary officer who previously worked with the Ministry of Agriculture, expressed concern about the method used by the suspects. He noted that the animals’ heads were removed in unknown locations before being transported to the market for skinning and sale.
As of the time of reporting, the suspects were still in custody at the office of Peter Banya, the Deputy Resident Commissioner for Laroo–Pece Division, who facilitated the arrest. David Mudong Ongom, the Aswa West Region Police Spokesperson, confirmed that investigations into the case are underway.
