The territorial police in Ssezibwa region and Njeru division, has in custody, 6 suspects who form part of a gang that has been terrorising poultry farmers, stealing their chicken in parts of Njeru Municipality, Buikwe district and Mukono district.
The Ssezibwa Region Police spokesperson, Hellen Butoto identified the six suspects as; Lubega Muzafaru (24) from Mbiko cell in Njeru division, Makubuya Ivan (24) of Mbiko cell, Kabugo Bumaali (26) from Luwero district, Isabirye Ayub, (33), a businessman from Jinja City, Friday Israel (30) from Bugembe town and Hax Martin (37) from Busia.
According to Butoto, the suspects were intercepted at the Nile Bridge, on September 27, 2023 at around 4:30am, after a tip off by a group of boda boda riders, who saw the Salon car, a Town Ace registration number UAM 224F, with suspected stolen chicken.
The suspects had slaughtered 100 chickens which were disposed of. An additional 99 live chickens were handed over to the owner, Paul Muketo Victor, a 23-year-old poultry farmer of Njeru Municipality.
The Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga has guided the farmers on how to guard against such losses.
“We do encourage all poultry farmers, to secure their farms in the most practicable manner, by hardening their poultry houses, deployment of local guards and watchers, better lighting and alarm systems and use of mobile phone integrated CCTV cameras.
We have in addition, tasked our integrated mobile patrol teams, to continue being vigilant and check suspicious vehicles that are used in the transportation of stolen chicken and other animals,” Enanga said.
The suspects are to be charged with breaking offences, conspiracy and theft of chicken.