News

Police in Gicumbi District, on Thursday, arrested a woman for allegedly stealing over two tonnes of fertilisers.

Residents tipped off the police that the suspect, a resident of Rubaya Sector, Muguramo Cell, had stashed DANA and UREE fertilisers in her house. She is currently detained at Mulindi Police Station.

Preliminary police investigations indicate the suspect planned to smuggle the fertilisers to Uganda.

It is not the first time Police impound fertilisers being smuggled to Uganda via the Gatuna border. Two months ago, other suspects were apprehended for smuggling 350 kilogram’s.

The theft must have been facilitated by a distribution agent who works with the Ministry of Agriculture, Domithile Nyirareba, a Ministry official in Rubaya sector told The Sunday Times when contacted.

Police Spokesperson Supt Theos Badege condemned the act and warned that those involved in pilfering goods provided free to farmers would be dealt with.  He added the suspect’s husband is still on the run.

“Fertilisers are meant to help local farmers increase production and thus improve their standards of living, but not for selfish interests,” he noted.