Five arrested for stealing cows to pay bride price

Kazo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Five people accused of stealing cows to pay for bride price are in police custody in Kazo District.

The District Police Commander, Philip Mukasa, has identified the main suspect as Bright Muhereza, aged 34, a resident of Omutebbe in Nkungu Sub-County, Kazo District.

It is alleged that Muhereza, who was the groom, was assisted by the four suspects to steal the cattle. Mukasa suspects that these four are part of a larger network involved in cattle theft in the district.

Muhereza claims that when he visited his wife’s home last month to pay the bride price, he was asked to provide two cows and two goats, which he didn’t possess.

He however asserts that he found some money to purchase the animals. He denies any involvement in stealing cows, asserting that a friend stole the cows from his neighbor’s farm and sold them to him.

He narrates that after paying the bride price, his father-in-law arranged for his immediate neighbor to graze the cows on his farm, who then reported to the police. This eventually led to Muhereza’s arrest.

Bob Tumusiime, the owner of the stolen cows, reported that his cows were stolen last week. He was surprised when he saw his neighbor bringing them and requesting grazing space.

Mukasa mentioned that investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged with cattle theft based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

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