Government Officials Arrested Over alleged Theft of One hundred and two (102) Hand hoes

Police in Alebtong District have arrested two local government officials after recovering one hundred and two (102) government hand hoes allegedly stolen from a sub-county store and hidden inside a suspect’s house.

 SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, said the theft is part of a wider case involving 206 hand hoes reported missing from the Adwir Sub-county store on June 29, 2026.

 The suspects are:

1. Odongo Isaac Walter, 48 Sub-county Chief, Adwir Sub-county

2. Ongom Lawrence, 40 Parish Chief, Olwero Parish, Adwir Sub-county

The case was reported at Adwir Police Station on June 30, 2026, at 9:41Am by Mathias Lutwama, Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Alebtong.

How Police Recovered the Hoes

 SP Okema said at around 1:00 Am on June 30, the Deputy RDC received calls from residents reporting an alleged break-in at the Adwir store.

 Residents suspected the two officials of conspiring to steal hoes meant for household distribution under a government programme.

 Police, together with the Deputy RDC and local leaders, searched Ongom Lawrence’s residence and recovered 102 hand hoes concealed under a bed.

 “Preliminary findings suggest that the reported break-in was constructive, indicating that the incident may have been staged to disguise the theft,” SP Okema said. The recovered hoes have been exhibited as evidence.

Detectives are now tracing the remaining 104 missing hand hoes and investigating whether more suspects were involved. SP Okema confirmed the hoes were part of a Presidential donation to Alebtong District Local Government to support households.

“We would like to warn errant local leaders who are sabotaging government programmes that we are ready and prepared to ensure they face the full force of the law once investigations are concluded,” he said.

 Investigations are ongoing, and Police say additional arrests could be made.