Three Kabale District Local Government officials have been arrested over the alleged theft of 102 heifers that were meant to compensate residents who vacated wetlands in Kabale District.
The officials are accused of being involved in the disappearance of the animals, which were reportedly provided to support people who left wetland areas as part of efforts to protect and restore the environment.
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.
The arrest has raised serious questions about the management of government programmes and the use of resources intended to benefit local communities. The 102 heifers were reportedly part of a compensation arrangement for residents who had been asked to vacate wetlands, making the alleged disappearance of the animals a matter of public concern.
Another official, Naviri Denes, the Internal Auditor, is reportedly on the run. Authorities are expected to continue investigations as they seek to establish what happened to the heifers and whether other people were involved in the alleged scheme.
The case is likely to attract further attention because the animals were meant to benefit residents who had complied with government efforts to protect wetlands. If the allegations are proven, the incident could expose serious weaknesses in accountability and supervision within the district administration.
The arrested officials are expected to face further questioning as investigations continue. Authorities will now be under pressure to establish where the 102 heifers went, who was responsible for their management and whether the intended beneficiaries can still receive the support they were promised.
The developments have also renewed calls for stronger accountability in the management of government resources, especially programmes designed to support vulnerable communities and encourage environmental conservation.
