Masindi demonstration farm cows stolen

MASINDI – Cows belonging to Masindi district demonstration farm in Labongo sub-county in Masindi have reportedly been stolen following a lay off at the center.

The center was established to serve as an agricultural demonstration farm for the district.

Wahid Babyesiza, the area district Councilor says, six out of the nine cows that were at the center disappeared under unclear circumstances.

“This is negligence by the district leaders and the caretakers of the center which could have led to the collapse of the center that was meant to be a demonstration to the farmers in the district. Despite the theft of the cows from the center, no one has been arrested in connection with the crime. This makes me believe there could have been connivance by some concerned officials in district,” the angry councilor told theCooperator.

He adds that all workers were laid off by Masindi district without paying them.

Job Byaruhanga, the District Agriculture Officer Masindi admits that some of the cows have been stolen by unknown people who beat the center security officer.

“We have not yet ascertained who could have been behind this. We’re still investigating the matter,” he said.

Byaruhanga added that the district has plans to revive the facility and make it a true demonstration center for the district such that people can always go and learn new agronomic practices.

Cosmas Byaruhanga, the district Chairperson also confirmed the incident to theCooperator saying, something is being done to find out the people behind the theft.

However, he dismissed Babyesiza’s allegations of nine cows at the facility, yet they were six.

“There were only six cows at the demonstration farm and only three are the ones that were stolen,” Byaruhanga clarified.

“A case has been filed at Masindi Central Police Station (CPS) for investigation. All the people who used to work at the center were laid off during the latest restructuring of government workers in the country. The district executive has resolved to sell off the remaining 3 cows as part of the plan to revive the center into a better facility that will serve the entire Bunyoro sub-region,” the politician explained.

None of the authorities could tell when they were stolen.

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Thugs hit Mbarara cooperative, kill two guards

Police in Mbarara is investigating circumstances under which two security guards were killed on Sunday after unknown assailants attacked a local cooperative.

According to Rwizi Region Police spokesperson, ASP Samson Kasasira, the deceased were guarding Nyakayojo People’s SACCO located in Karama 1 cell Rwakishakizi ward Nyakayojo Division Mbarara City.

The incident happened over the weekend (Sunday) when the as-yet-unidentified assailants attacked Nyakayojo SACCO with the suspected aim of robbing its property.

“Today 11th October at about 0700hrs we received information from Nyakayojo Police Post that two security guards guarding at Nyakayojo People’s SACCO were found dead,” Kasasira said.

The spokesperson said a team of investigators including the Rwizi Regional Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO), canine and homicide investigators rushed to the scene to begin inquiries into the incident.

The deceased were identified as Herbert Tugume aged 22 a resident of Kitabo cell in Kashongi Sub County, Kiruhura district, and 22-year old Igga Budalla from Buteraniro Nyeihanga Rwampara district, both attached to Securiwise Security Company Ltd.

According to the police, two guards were stuck with blunt objects that led to their death on spot. Kasasira further disclosed that a rifle with three rounds and a baton were recovered at the scene.

He said the assailants first destroyed the CCTV camera at the cooperative before breaking into the co-op’s premises to steal a 32-inch LG television, an HP laptop, Network router and a TECNO Pop 2 mobile phone.

However, the SACCO money was not taken after the assailants attempted but apparently failed to break into the safe.

“Cash in the strong room was found intact because the safe was too strong for the thieves to break into,” said one of the SACCO’s employees.

Nyakayojo people’s SACCO is one of the leading financial cooperatives in Mbarara, with a total turnover of more than Shs 2 bn.

Attempts by theCooperator to reach the SACCO’s Manager for comment on the incident were unfruitful as he repeatedly turned down our calls.

The bodies of the deceased were taken to Mbarara Regional Referral hospital for post-mortem.

Kasasira says no arrests have been made so far, but investigations are ongoing.

He advised financial institutions to employ competently trained security personnel to guarantee the safety of their members’ savings.

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