Suspected cattle thieves nabbed in Mbale city security operation

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Mbale city authorities' enforcement team and security agencies have entered the second week of trade order enforcement with the recovery of quantities of stolen meat in the northern city division in Mbale city.

Three suspected cattle thieves were nabbed earlier today, Wednesday (March 11), in the joint security team, which comprised anti-riot police, Mbale city enforcement team, and the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF).

The joint security team acted on a tip-off from responsible citizens that led the security team to the hidden location in Busamaga, where the suspects were skinning the suspected stolen cow. 

The heavily armed anti-riot police and Uganda Peoples Defence Forces bounced into action and rounded off the scene of crime, arresting several people.

The three suspected cattle thieves had transported stolen cattle in a taxi, but upon offloading the stolen cattle, some of the residents got suspicious and tipped off the area's local leaders, who in turn called in security to effect an arrest.

The police confirmed that the suspects in possession of the beef exhibits are detained at Mbale CPS, and their names were not made available to the press.

Scores of illegal butcheries said to belong to former and serving senior officials of Mbale city have also been affected.

Mbale city authorities' enforcement team pulled down illegal structures as helpless residents and butchers looked on.

In the same development, Joint security officers for Mbale City Council on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, resumed the enforcement of the city’s trade order aimed at reorganising the transport sector in the city.

During the operation along Pallisa Road, several taxi operators were arrested near the traffic lights for allegedly loading passengers outside the designated taxi parks.

Authorities say the move is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that all taxi operators conduct their activities within officially gazetted taxi parks.

City officials explained that the enforcement exercise is intended to restore order in the transport sector, reduce congestion in the city, and ensure that taxi operators comply with established regulations.

The suspects were taken to Mbale central police station as security officers continued monitoring activities along Pallisa Road and other parts of the city to ensure full compliance with the trade order.

Geoffrey Mugisa the town clerk Mbale industrial city division has warned that enforcement operations will continue, and anyone found violating the directive will face legal action.

He urged taxi drivers to cooperate with authorities and operate only from the approved taxi parks to avoid further arrests because we're not about to stop this operation.