Nightlong hunt: Three arrested over theft, sale of priest’s pregnant pig in Kalaki

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A nightlong hunt has led to the arrest of three residents of Osele and Asinge villages in Omiid Parish, Anyara Sub-county in Kalaki district.

The suspects are accused of selling a pregnant sow belonging to the Rev. Paul Ebira of Omiid Parish.

The pig had been entrusted to church member Ben Egasu, 38, while it awaited farrowing (giving birth).

According to Ebira, the animal had earlier been under the care of a lay reader who was transferred this year and asked Egasu to continue tending to it.

After about a month, Egasu allegedly conspired with his brother John Emenyu, 28, and Salume Asio, 32, to sell the sow on Saturday night to a businessman who transported it to Aberu-Inera trading centre in Asinge village for slaughter.

On Sunday morning, Egasu reportedly informed the priest that the sow had disappeared from his home. However, information quickly spread through the community, and residents soon linked him to the alleged theft.

Asinge LC1 chairperson Paul Enotu said the tip-off was corroborated by traders at the centre who confirmed that a slaughtered sow had been found with twelve live piglets.

The three suspects were arrested in the early hours of Monday, February 23, by LC1 committee members.

“We apprehended them after the buyer confirmed he purchased the sow from Asio’s home and that Emenyu had claimed ownership,” Enotu said.

During a community meeting before the LC1 court, Egasu reportedly confessed to the offence.

“I am sorry to the reverend; I ask for forgiveness,” he said, attributing his actions to temptation.

He told the meeting that the animal was sold for sh200,000, with Asio allegedly acting as custodian of the money and giving him sh100,000 while the remainder was shared.

Ebira demanded compensation of shillings 400,000 for the sow and 70,000 for each of the 12 piglets, bringing the total claim to shillings 1,240,000.

“My interest is compensation for my animal and the piglets,” he said.

The LC1 court ruled that the three suspects jointly compensate the priest, while the businessman was cleared of wrongdoing and ordered only to return the remaining meat.

Some residents expressed frustration over recurring theft in the area.

Joyce Alupo, who lost a goat last year, urged the suspects to repent, while Betty Akol called for stronger security measures, saying cases of stolen poultry and goats remain common.

Enotu noted that most theft cases involve unemployed youth seeking quick money in trading centres.

Nationally, crime statistics from the Uganda Police Force indicate that theft remains the most reported offence, accounting for 28 per cent of cases despite a 6.6 per cent drop from 65,901 cases in 2023 to 61,529 in 2024.

Police attribute the decline to improved community policing initiatives and enhanced security measures. The 2025 crime report has not yet been released.