Oyam, Uganda I URN | Two men have been detained in Oyam district, Northern Uganda, after they were reported selling dead chicken to members of the public in Acaba Sub-county.
The suspects, Denis Okot and Samuel Olwa, were arrested on Friday evening at Otwee B Village in Obamgangeo Parish, Acaba Sub-county.
According to a preliminary report, the two were intercepted by a team led by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Oyam, Francis Behangana, and the Deputy District Internal Security Officer (DISO) while returning to Oyam Town Council.
Patrick Jimmy Okema, North Kyoga Public relation officer confirmed that the arrest and said the suspects are also being investigated for allegedly facilitating the transmission of poultry diseases within the community.
“The Deputy RDC Oyam reportedly found the suspects selling dead chickens to residents. They subsequently contacted the Oyam District Veterinary Officer, Dr Ronald Were, to establish whether the sale of dead chickens for human consumption was permissible under the law,”Okema said.
He added that Dr Were later advised the officials that the practice is illegal due to the public health risks associated with consuming animals that died from disease or natural causes leading to immediate arrest of suspects and escorted to Oyam Central Police Station together with the recovered chickens.
Okema also said the suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, while a statement has been recorded from the district veterinary officer to support prosecution of the case.
One of the suspects, Denis Okot, speaking told URN while still at scene that they had already sold 22 of the 30 dead chickens before their arrest.
Geoffrey Omony, one of the residents who bought the chickens, said he was attracted by the low price and joined other customers who were purchasing the birds.
He noted that the chickens were selling at a much lower price than fish or meat.
Police have opened a case of selling goods unfit for human consumption under Oyam CPS SD Reference 46/16/10/2026.
Under Uganda’s animal health laws, the sale of animals or birds that die from disease or natural causes for human consumption is prohibited due to the risk posed to public health and the potential spread of animal-borne diseases.
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