Police probe hot water cattle deaths in Bushenyi

A bizarre cattle-poisoning scheme in Greater Bushenyi allegedly involved sneaking onto farms at night and dousing animals with hot water to tank their value.

53 cattle dead under shady circumstances

• Fifty-three head of cattle died across Greater Bushenyi between June 2025 and February 2026.
• Police opened a General Enquiry File into the mysterious deaths.
• SP Apollo Tayebwa confirmed that suspects allegedly weakened animals to buy them dirt cheap.

Late-night encounter blew the lid off

• Farmer Turihamwe Lawrence caught a man creeping toward his cattle with a jerrycan on 16 February.
• The suspect, identified as Turyasingura Gordan, bolted but dropped his mobile phone during the chase.
• Lawrence had already lost six cows since November 2025 and suspects a connection.

How the alleged scam reportedly worked

• Suspects would pour hot water on cattle at night to make them sick.
• They would then circle back posing as buyers offering rock-bottom prices.
• Cheap meat allegedly got funneled through local butcheries for profit.

Investigation still in early stages

• No arrests have been confirmed, and post-mortem results on the animals are still pending.
• Police are tracking leads from the recovered mobile phone.
• Farming communities have ramped up night patrols across the region.