By Our Reporter
Police in Serere District are investigating Haruna Onai Aron, the LC III chairperson of Labor Sub-county, for allegedly failing to pay for livestock he acquired during a church fundraising auction. Onai, who was arrested on Wednesday after reportedly dodging both church leaders and investigators, has since been released on police bond.
The case stems from a fundraising event held on 4 October 2025 by St Michael Catholic Church as part of efforts to revive the long-stalled construction of their church. The event featured an auction of animals donated by Christians and local leaders. Onai successfully bid for a cow, a bull, a turkey and two chickens, all valued at 2.9 million shillings.
According to the chairperson of the church construction committee, John Engau, the local leader promised to make the payment immediately but never fulfilled his pledge. Engau said church members made several attempts to follow up, even visiting Onai’s home, but their efforts were in vain.
“He would sometimes hide when he saw us approaching to ask for the payment,” Engau said.
When it became clear that the livestock had been taken without any form of payment, church members reported the matter to Arapo Police Station. Onai was later detained at Serere Central Police Station as investigations into the alleged theft of church property continued.
South Kyoga regional police spokesperson Stephen Mukombe confirmed that Onai is also under investigation in a separate case involving the suspected theft of a generator belonging to Labor Sub-county.
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