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Kagadi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Cattle farmers in Kagadi district have raised a red flag following the surging cases of cattle theft that have rocked the area.
The most affected are farmers from six villages of Nyakabira, Isunga, Kahunde, Kyankwanzi, Nyakasozi and Muhangi all in Isunga sub-county of Kagadi district.
The thieves are also stealing other domestic animals including goats, sheep and pigs.
The livestock farmers have appealed to security personnel to strengthen patrols so as to curb the problem believed to be on the increase as the festive season approaches.
According to the residents, in a period of only two weeks, more than 50 cows and more than 100 goats have been stolen by thieves who raid kraals in the night.
Moses Nyakatuura, one of the affected residents says thieves stormed his home recently and stole two cows. He adds that after a few days, the thugs came back and stole three pigs, calling upon the government to come to their rescue because they are losing cattle worth millions of shillings.
Jane Kasumba, also a farmer appeals to police to stage patrols along various roads such that thieves can be apprehended, adding that the situation has compelled most of them to sleep in kraals in order to prevent their animals from being stolen.
Raphael Ssenyonjo, the vice chairperson Nyakabira village said the thieves have developed new tactics of invading the villages around midnight, tie the mouth of animals with ropes such that they don’t make noise, then load the animals in vehicles before they are transported to yet an unknown destinations.
John Tibenda, a resident of Kagadi town says the thugs could be conniving with some unemployed youths in the area to steal the animals. He says even if they report cattle theft cases to police, they do not receive any help.
Lilian Ruteraho, the Kagadi Resident District Commissioner-RDC has promised that as security, they will start patrolling the district at night so as to help curb the crime rate. She has cautioned the livestock farmers to strictly scrutinize the people they employ to look after their cows saying some could be conniving with thieves to steal the animals.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson says they have received intelligence information that cattle thieves from different parts of the country including Masaka, Arua, Gulu, Kampala, Lira and Soroti are planning to invade Bunyoro sub region especially during this festive season, calling on the cattle farmers to be vigilant.
He however says they have intensified their security surveillance network and patrols to ensure that the cattle thieves are apprehended.
Hakiza has further urged local leaders in the area to ensure that no cow is transported in the area without clear documents.
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