Kamuli man sentenced to 42 months for cattle theft and ordered to pay Shs4 million

The Chief Magistrate of Kamuli Magistrates Court, Paul Owino Abdnoson, has handed down a significant sentence to Bosco Waako, 34, convicting him of cattle theft. Waako received a prison term of three years and six months. In addition to the jail time, he has been ordered to pay Shs4 million as compensation to the owner of the stolen cattle, Godfrey Apuli Nyakana.

Delivering the ruling on September 15, 2026, Magistrate Owino emphasized the need for a deterrent sentence given the prevalence of cattle theft in the region. He stated that the sentence aims to curb future offenses and address the financial losses incurred by victims like Mr. Nyakana. The magistrate further expressed hope that the judgment would encourage societal change and discourage such criminal activities, reinforcing the right to property ownership.

The prosecution, led by Charles Akol, presented evidence that Waako stole cattle from Mr. Apuli in March 2026. A crucial part of the case involved a sniffer dog, which reportedly tracked Waako to his home. There, authorities found him in possession of a rope made from mosquito nets, identified as belonging to Mr. Apuli. One of the stolen animals, which was pregnant, was later found to have been slaughtered.

Mr. Apuli welcomed the court’s decision, viewing it as a just outcome that offers some relief to livestock farmers who have suffered losses due to theft. He expressed hope that other judicial officers would adopt similar stances in combating this crime. Law enforcement agencies in the Busoga Sub-region have been actively working to reduce livestock theft through increased coordination meetings involving various security and judicial officials.