Police officer detained for alleged involvement in goat theft syndicate in Oyam

By Chris Woo (editor@vol.co.ug)

Oyam

Police in Oyam District have arrested one of their own officers, Festo Nakayana, over alleged collusion with suspected thieves who are said to have stolen 18 goats.

Nakayana, who is attached to Myene Police Outpost, is accused of conspiring with two suspected goat thieves who had been detained at Myene Police Station and allegedly releasing them after receiving a bribe of Shs 300,000.

The stolen goats were taken from Minakulu Sub-county and Minakulu Town Council.

James Ogwal, the LC3 Chairman of Myene Sub-county, confirmed the incident, noting that they have registered six cases of goat theft in Minakulu Town Council and Minakulu Sub-county, specifically in Dog Atuk Cell and Corner Ajaga areas.

Ogwal thanked Oyam District Police Commander, SP Job Mutegeki, for the swift arrest of the officer involved.

Locals, Bosco Odong and Santo Okello, from Dog Atuk, condemned the actions of the police officer, stating that such actions portray the police as a corrupt institution.

Richard Ogwal, one of the complainants in the case, expressed his shock at how the police officer released the suspects after a bribe of only Shs 300,000.

Thomas Okot, the OC of Myene Police Outpost, stated that the incident occurred while he was on official leave and that he only learned of the situation through the Minakulu Sub County chairman.

Efforts to reach Oyam DPC SP Job Mutegeki for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls.

Festo Nakayana has since been transferred to Oyam CPS, where he is being detained, pending his arraignment in court.