Museveni tasks security to intensify operations against cattle rustlers

Otuke, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni has ordered a comprehensive operation against the Karamojong cattle rustlers in Northern and Eastern Uganda.

The president was on Saturday meeting leaders from Acholi and Lango sub-region, at the Presidential Lodge in Baralegi, Okwang sub-county in Otuke district.

Museveni who said the security only reacts when a raid happens directed that in the new operations, raiders including those suspected to be raiders should be arrested even if they cross to the neighboring countries. He added that the commanders in the area will also be changed.

The president also directed that the government will use three comprehensive measures to address cattle raiding in the areas, among them installation of CCTV cameras in shock points and digital markers on all vehicles entering the region as well as using police canine dogs to trace the stolen animals.

Museveni described the ongoing raids in Lango, Acholi and Karamoja regions as commercially motivated, perpetuated by unscrupulous security officials and local leaders in connivance with businessmen in these regions.

Caroline Angolere, the Kole Resident District Commissioner confirmed the president’s allegation saying some local leaders are also involved in the cattle raids.

However, Joab Wabire, the Deputy Regional Police Commander of North Kyoga said the entire region has only 1 police canine dog which has been helpful in the fight against cattle raids in the area, saying there is a need for provision of more police dogs.

President Yoweri Museveni has camped in Eastern and Northern Uganda to boost security in the areas that in the recent past have experienced cattle rustling and ambushes.

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