Herdsmen among four arrested after theft of veterinary drugs at Museveni’s farm
President Museveni inspects cows at his farm in Kisozi, Gomba District recently. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- This isn’t the first time thugs have stolen property on the president’s farm
Four people have been detained and several others said to be on the run after President Museveni’s farm store was broken into and veterinary drugs whose value is yet to be established stolen.
Two of the suspects are women, the others are herdsmen.
The theft happened at Mr Museveni’s farm at Kisozi village, Kifampa Sub County in Gomba District, Central Uganda on February 1, 2025.
“It is true, we arrested them. They were herdsmen at the president’s farm. Instead of using the drugs to treat the animals, they have been selling them out. We have four suspects, including the buyer,” Katonga Police Region spokesman, Superintendent of Police (SP) Majid A. Karim said on Tuesday.
Two of the suspects are women from Gomba and Ssembabule districts who were dealing in veterinary drugs, mostly stolen from the president’s farm, according to the police.
“Investigations into the matter are ongoing to uncover all individuals involved in this illegal trade and ensure they face the full force of the law. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to theft and illegal sale of veterinary drugs,” Mr Karim said in a statement.
The security agents at the farm discovered the theft days after the break-in, prompting one of the herdsmen to flee.
The police officer said the herdsman was tracked and arrested at Kayeyi Village in the same parish selling the stolen drugs to a businesswoman who has also since been arrested.
Investigators also discovered more stolen drugs in a shop in Busese village, Lugusulu Sub County in Ssembabule District. The owner of the shop, a woman, was also arrested.
This isn’t the first time thugs have stolen property on the president’s farm.
In April last year, 10 people were arrested on allegations of stealing Mr Museveni’s cows.
Another criminal group stole cows on his farm in 2023.
Thefts forced the president to fence off his farm and also tag his animals. But these interventions haven’t stopped criminals from daring to raid his farm to steal farm property.
In Mr Museveni’s New Year’s message after visiting his farm, he banned issuing of police bonds to suspects arrested over theft of animals and crops at farms. He also said that he would talk to the Chief Justice to stop granting bail for people accused of theft of the same items.
Theft of animals and crops is a widespread crime in the rural villages.
He threatened to deploy Local Defence Unit personnel in the villages to protect the farmers.
Mr Museveni ordered the police leadership to deploy officers at the sub county level to stem the vice.
