Police have identified the owner of three cows recovered during an operation targeting suspected cattle thieves and are continuing efforts to arrest suspects linked to the theft.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, investigations established that the recovered cattle belonged to a resident of Nsiima Village in Kayonza Sub-county, Kayunga District, who had earlier reported the theft at Kayonza Police Station.
Police said the breakthrough followed investigations into the recovery of three suspected stolen cows and a motor vehicle, registration number UAX 417Y, which is believed to have been used to transport stolen livestock.
Owoyesigyire said investigators discovered that the vehicle had previously been seen on several occasions ferrying cattle from Kayunga District to Kampala.
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Working jointly with police in Kayunga, detectives traced a complainant who had reported the theft of three female cows. The descriptions he provided matched the animals recovered by police.
The complainant further informed investigators that one of the stolen cows had left behind a calf at his home. On Thursday, he presented the calf to investigators, and police said it successfully suckled one of the recovered cows, strengthening evidence that the animals belonged to him.
"The complainant provided descriptions of the missing animals which matched the recovered cows. He also presented a calf that successfully suckled one of the recovered cows, further supporting his ownership claim," Owoyesigyire said.
Police added that the complainant submitted supporting documentation, including confirmation from the area LC1 chairperson, regarding the reported theft.
The recovered cattle are currently being processed for handover to Kayunga Police before they are formally released to the owner upon completion of the required procedures.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the circumstances under which the cattle and vehicle were recovered.
However, police said investigations are ongoing to establish the ownership of the vehicle and identify other individuals believed to be involved in the suspected cattle theft syndicate.
"Efforts to identify the owner of the vehicle and arrest the remaining suspects are ongoing," Owoyesigyire said.
Cattle theft remains a persistent challenge in several districts across Uganda, particularly in rural farming communities where livestock serves as a major source of income and household wealth.
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Police have urged livestock owners to promptly report theft cases and maintain proper records of their animals to aid investigations and recovery efforts.
The latest recovery is expected to provide relief to the affected farmer as police intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in livestock theft.
