Cattle theft: LCI chairperson remanded over clearance letters
A Local Council One chairman has been remanded at Nyabuhikye Prison by Ibanda magistrate’s court over suspected involvement in cattle thefts.
Grevasio Byanyima, the LCI chairman of Mpunda village in Bwenda parish, Rukiri sub-county in Ibanda South Constituency, Ibanda district, and Francis Mpumweire, 18, a boda boda rider in Kahungye cell, Kayenje ward in Gufunda Division, Ibanda Municipality and others still at large are accused of allegedly stealing five cows worth UGX 18m from Achleo Mutatiina.
Mutatiina is a resident of Mabanga cell, Nyamirima in Bufunda Division, Ibanda Municipality.
The stolen cows at Ibanda Police Station last week.
The two suspects appeared before Ibanda Grade One magistrate Edith Tusabe to take plea on Thursday, November 23, but denied the charges and were subsequently remanded to prison.
State prosecutor Tian Emmanuel had earlier prayed for adjournment of the case, saying that inquiries were ongoing since other accused were still at large.
Byanyima’s bail application was also denied by the magistrate, saying she had no jurisdiction to hear the case. She advised him to apply for bail on November 28th when the case will come up for hearing before the chief magistrate’s court.
Byanyima is suspected have issued cattle movement clearance letters for the animals from Mabanga, a different village that is not under his jurisdiction.
Police records indicate that the suspects were arrested at Kyarihimbi in Kayenje ward with three cows last Wednesday, on November 15th at about 7am by residents who alerted Ibanda Police Station.
Livestock theft is one of the leading security challenges in Ibanda.
