Three kabale district officials arrested over alleged Heifer theft

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Three Kabale District Local Government officials have been arrested over allegations of stealing 102 heifers that were meant to compensate residents who vacated wetlands in the district.

Those arrested include Elly Niwamanya, the Kabale District Inventory Officer; Beda Mwebesa, the District Production Officer; and Dr Kamarade Masembe, the Principal Inspector of Local Government in charge of districts.

Police are also searching for Naviri Denes, the district’s Internal Auditor, who is reportedly on the run.

The 102 heifers were intended for residents who had vacated wetlands as part of efforts to protect and restore the environmentally sensitive areas.

The officials are accused of misappropriating the livestock instead of ensuring that they were distributed to the intended beneficiaries.

Investigations are ongoing to establish how the heeifers were diverted and whether other officials or individuals were involved in the alleged theft.

Source: Tayari West