Security forces net rebel suspects, cattle thieves in joint operations

Security forces have arrested suspected Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) II rebels and notorious cattle thieves operating across multiple regions.

The suspects, who include high-profile individuals with criminal records, are accused of cross-border crimes, illegal possession of firearms, and large-scale cattle theft.

Rebel suspects confess to cross-border cattle theft

In a major security operation in West Nile, Police and Uganda People Defense Force (UPDF) officers arrested Habibu Harish, a 45-year-old self-styled UNRF II general and Amidu Ayima, 30, both residents of Yumbe district, plus other rebel suspects.

Ignatius Dragudu, the Northwest Nile region Police spokesperson, said the suspects confessed to being rebels from South Sudan and admitted to stealing firearms from there to conduct cross-border cattle raids.

The two also confirmed that the guns recovered from them belonged to their group and had been used in multiple theft operations.

The arrests followed a February 13 intelligence report from Lt. Col. Michael Opio Ochaka, the Commanding Officer of the 69th Infantry Battalion, who informed security that a security unit from Mbuya, Kampala, was tracking Harish over allegations that he was leading a rebel faction hiding in Kei Forest and had weapons stored at his residence.

Later that evening, security operatives arrested Harish and detained him at an army barracks for interrogation.

The following morning, February 14, 2025, a joint UPDF-Police team, assisted by forensic experts, raided Kei Forest and recovered two guns—one PK multipurpose machine gun and one sub-machine (SMG) gun—hidden at Harish’s residence.

During questioning, Harish revealed that additional firearms were being held by Ayima, leading to his arrest in Odravu West sub-county, Yumbe district.

Ayima then directed security forces to Malanga village, Wafa parish, Obongi district, where three more firearms were recovered. They included one PK multipurpose machine gun, four AK-47/SMG rifles,153 bullets, three empty magazines and sim cards found at Gen. Harish’s residence.

 About UNRF II

 The Uganda National Rescue Front II was a splinter group of the West Nile Bank Front in 1996 and included members of the original Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) that did not make peace with Museveni in the late 1980s. It operated mostly in Aringa County, Arua District, out of bases in southern Sudan.

In 2002, led by Maj. Gen Ali Bamuze signed an agreement with the Government of Uganda.  The terms included a battalion of UNRF II soldiers being incorporated into the Ugandan army, and sh4.2b being given to the group. However, a small group remained behind.

 Luweero notorious cattle thieves

In a separate security operation, the Police in Savannah region apprehended two notorious cattle thieves linked to large-scale livestock theft across multiple regions.

Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah regional Police spokesperson, said the suspects, Amis Masembe aka General, a businessman from Busula-Kalule, Luweero district and Godwin Tayebwa, a milk vendor from Lusaka zone, Hoima city—have been terrorizing Savannah, Albertine, Aswa, and Wamala regions for years.

On the night of February 6, 2025, Masembe and Tayebwa allegedly stole three cows from Bujjabe village, Nakitoma sub-county, loaded them onto a truck, and transported them to Hoima.

Acting on intelligence, the Police Flying Squad tracked the stolen cattle, leading to the arrest of Masembe and Tayebwa. However, two accomplices, identified as Salongo and Kakande are still on the run.

While Masembe admitted to stealing two animals, Tayebwa denied involvement, according to Twiineamazima.

 Masembe’s Criminal Past

Police records show that Masembe is a repeat offender with a long history of cattle theft. He was wanted for stealing cattle belonging to former Nakasongola Woman Margaret Komuhangi (RIP).

In 2019, he was charged with stealing 25 head of cattle, but jumped bail and was rearrested in 2021 before escaping again.

 Twiineamazima called Masembe’s arrest a major breakthrough in the fight against cattle theft. More stolen cattle have since been recovered from Nakasongola.

The 2023 Uganda Annual Crime Report indicates that cattle theft has been increasing, with 8,442 cases reported compared to 7,975 in 2022, marking a 5.9% rise.

However, the violence associated with cattle raids has been severe: 12 security personnel were shot and killed by rustlers, 35 officers were injured in clashes, 35 civilians were murdered and 34 others sustained injuries, four civilians were abducted, with three later rescued and security forces killed 116 armed rustlers in retaliatory operations.

Police will release its 2024 annual crime report today, February 19 2025 at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala. Ends…