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Iganga farmers spend sleepless nights as thieves target coffee gardens
Using a sniffer dog, police officers followed a scent trail from the affected garden for about 800 metres, passing through the coffee plantation and Walugoma Trading Centre before arriving at the home of a man only identified as Adam.
Iganga farmers spend sleepless nights as thieves target coffee gardens
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Coffee farmers in parts of Iganga district have been placed on high alert following a rise in night-time coffee thefts.
This was after it emerged that coffee thieves target farmers' gardens and harvest fresh coffee berries under the cover of darkness.
The latest incident occurred in Nawaniyingi sub-county, where suspected thieves broke into the coffee garden of farmer Moses Lukyaza during the night of August 10 and harvested fresh coffee berries.
The theft was reported at Bunyiro Police Station the following morning, prompting a rapid response involving detectives, uniformed officers and the Busoga East Police K9 Unit.
Using a sniffer dog, police officers followed a scent trail from the affected garden for about 800 metres, passing through the coffee plantation and Walugoma Trading Centre before arriving at the home of a man only identified as Adam.
Two sacks of fresh coffee berries were found at Adam's doorway, and the dog led officers to another half sack hidden under a bed inside the house.
The suspect reportedly fled after seeing the police team. Police, together with the village leaders and community members have since joined police to hunt for the suspect.
Using a sniffer dog, police officers followed a scent trail from the affected garden for about 800 metres, passing through the coffee plantation and Walugoma Trading Centre before arriving at the home of a man only identified as Adam.
Two sacks of fresh coffee berries were found at Adam's doorway, and the dog led officers to another half sack hidden under a bed inside the house.
The suspect reportedly fled after seeing the police team. Police, together with the village leaders and community members have since joined police to hunt for the suspect.
The two-and-a half sacks of recovered fresh coffee berries were positively identified by the complainant as his property and taken to Bunyiro Police Station for safe custody as investigations continue.
The incident has heightened concern among coffee growers, many of whom are now keeping watch over their gardens at night to protect their harvests. Farmers said the theft of coffee berries threatens their livelihoods, particularly during the harvesting season when gardens become prime targets for criminals.
A police source told New Vision Online that farmers are now keeping a much closer eye on their gardens, with some organising night patrols and taking turns to monitor their plantations.
“The fear is that thieves could return, especially as coffee berries mature and become ready for harvesting. Farmers are being urged to avoid confronting suspected thieves alone, but instead alert local leaders and police so that suspects can be safely intercepted,” said the source.
Security teams are equally being encouraged to maintain patrols around known coffee-growing zones and trading centres, while residents remain alert to strangers moving through villages at unusual hours.
The incident has heightened concern among coffee growers, many of whom are now keeping watch over their gardens at night to protect their harvests. Farmers said the theft of coffee berries threatens their livelihoods, particularly during the harvesting season when gardens become prime targets for criminals.
A police source told New Vision Online that farmers are now keeping a much closer eye on their gardens, with some organising night patrols and taking turns to monitor their plantations.
“The fear is that thieves could return, especially as coffee berries mature and become ready for harvesting. Farmers are being urged to avoid confronting suspected thieves alone, but instead alert local leaders and police so that suspects can be safely intercepted,” said the source.
Security teams are equally being encouraged to maintain patrols around known coffee-growing zones and trading centres, while residents remain alert to strangers moving through villages at unusual hours.