The LC3 chairperson of Labori Sub-county in Serere District has been arrested over allegations of stealing livestock and poultry donated during a church fundraising, police said on Friday.
Haruna Onai was detained after Christians at St Michael Atirangoto Catholic Church reported the disappearance of items he allegedly took during a fundraising drive meant to support the completion of the church structure.
The complaint, filed at Aarapo Police Post under reference number 05/20/11/2025, was lodged by John Engwau, a church member who accused the LC3 chairperson of walking away with a bull valued at Shs1.7 million, a cow worth Shs1 million, two hens and a turkey valued at Shs200,000.
A police officer who asked not to be named said Onai was first arrested at the sub-county before being transferred to Serere Central Police Station, where he is still being held as investigations continue.
‘Trouble, allegedly started when the LC3 started becoming elusive to the church fundraising committee as they waited for the payment of the promised cash from the LC3 chairperson who was chief guest at the function,’ the officer said.
John Rutaagira, the DPC at Serere Central Police Station, confirmed the arrest but referred further inquiries to the South Kyoga regional police spokesperson.
SP Stephen Mukombe, the regional spokesperson, said: ‘the LC3 chairperson was arrested over alleged theft of church property,’ adding that investigations were underway.
Church leaders and local officials say the items were taken during a fundraising held on October 24, 2025.
Gideon Agili, the defence secretary of Mugarama B Village LC1, said the suspect took the livestock ‘with a promise that he would deliver the money for the completion of the church house.’
‘I will not say that he stole, he took the items during fundraising, with a promise that he would deliver the money, the bull was valued at Shs1.7 million, cow Shs1 million, the hens and turkey at shs200,000,’ Agili told Monitor.
He added that the church project needs about Shs50 million for roofing.
Christians reportedly recovered only one bull, while the cow, hens and turkey remain missing.
Monitor has learnt from authorities that Onai is separately accused of stealing a sub-county generator, a case reported at the same Aarapo Police Post under reference number 03/31/01/2024 by sub-county chief Zainab Apilo.
But a close associate of the suspect, Samson Okello, said Onai took the items on behalf of an unnamed MP candidate for Pigiere County.
He said the politician has since ‘seemingly disowned’ the LC3 chairperson.