The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kazo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Local leaders and residents of Kazo district have called for the deployment of Uganda Peoples Defence Forces-UPDF to help fight rampant cattle theft.
During the launch of the 42nd Tarehe Sita week activities in Kazo district on Saturday, the LC V Chairperson Rev Samuel Katugunda asked the 2nd Division Commander to deploy UPDF soldiers for at least one month to help deal with the cattle thieves.
According to Katugunda, the number of police officers in the district is inadequate to deal with the theft of cows, goats, and poultry.
Ham Rubinika, a resident of Kyampa and Production Secretary of Kazo Town Council, said that for a long time, they have tried to fight cattle theft without success because of the limited manpower. He explained that they were promised more police officers in vain.
He said that in Engari Sub County where cattle theft is rampant, they had recorded over 100 cases of cattle theft in the last three months.
Denis Riiho Gumisiriza, a resident of Rwemirondo cell faults the police for failing to eliminate cattle theft, saying that they allow the livestock thieves to walk scot-free under the guise of lack of evidence and giving Bond to the known criminals.
However, Susan Katusiime, one of the youth leaders, said that there is a need for the leaders to justify their call for the deployment of the UPDF because there has been a decrease in cattle theft since their regional meeting.
Brigadier General Bob Ogik, the 2nd Division Commander Mbarara, said the Regional Police Commander and the Resident District Commissioner have already laid a plan to fight the vice noting that the UPDF is supporting the police.
He said that he had directed his commanders to set up a detachment in Kazo district so that they can quickly settle the problem as they have done in other parts of the country.
Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson agreed that Kazo district has had an increase in cattle thefts noting that last month alone 25 cases were registered.
The 42nd Tarehe Sita commemorations will take place on February 6th, 2023 at Kakyeka Stadium in Mbarara City.
The day is celebrated to remember the day the National Resistance Army rebels launched the first revolutionary attack in 1981 on Kabamba Barracks during the Apollo Milton Obote’s government.
The celebration will be held under the theme: “Recognizing the Sacrifice of the founders of the Peoples Revolution for social economic transformation.”
Last year, Kazo district hosted a joint security meeting involving the Uganda Police Force and Uganda Peoples Defense Forces to explore means of ending cattle theft in Kazo and the neighboring districts.
The meeting was also attended by district security committees from Kazo, Kiruhura, Ibanda, and Kyegegwa led by their Resident District Commissioners (RDC), district chairpersons, District Internal Security Officers(DISOs), District Police Commanders(DPCs), district councilors, and opinion leaders.
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