Police and UPDF recover stolen goats in joint operation

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The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and police carried out a joint operation on Wednesday (September 10), recovering six goats from two suspected thieves.

The suspects, riding a motorcycle, had partially slaughtered the goats and stuffed the meat into sacks for sale in Kisenyi, a busy area in downtown Kampala.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, the two suspects were identified as Apollo Mulindwa, 27, a casual worker and resident of Buloba on Mityana Road, and Frank Ssali, 20, a boda boda rider from Bukerekere village, Kakiri town council.

The suspects allegedly stole the animals from Bembe Nansiiti village, Namayumba subcounty, Wakiso district.

Onyango said police had received numerous complaints from residents about rampant cattle thefts in areas including Kakiri, Namayumba, and Masulita.

On October 10, 2025, at around 2:00 am, security personnel, including UPDF troops from Kikandwa detachment, mounted a snap checkpoint along the Kampala-Hoima Road.

They intercepted a motorcycle with registration number UDN 177Y at Nampunge trading centre, where the two men were arrested with the meat in sacks.

Exhibits recovered included six goats, a knife, sacks, and blue polythene bags used to conceal the meat. The motorcycle was also impounded.

The slaughtered goats hanging on a rope. (Courtesy)

“Upon interrogation, the suspects revealed that they had stolen the animals from Bembe Nansiiti village, intending to sell them in Kisenyi, Kampala,” Onyango explained, adding that the operation was part of ongoing intelligence-led efforts to curb crime in the area. 

The suspects remain in detention as investigations continue.