Night movement of livestock banned in Agago

Agago, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Authorities in Agago district have imposed a ban on night movements with livestock following rampant theft.

Leonard Opiyo Ojok, the Agago LC V chairperson says that the decision was reached jointly last week by members of the security and local leaders in the district.

The decision followed last week’s incident in which suspected cattle rustlers stormed Biwaga Parish in Lira-Kato sub county in the night and vanished with more than 30 heads of cattle.

Ojok explained that the new regulation states that livestock movement within the district is only allowed between 6:00am and 6:00 pm.

The other requirements also demand anyone moving with livestock in the district to produce a stamped letter from the office of the LCI and LCII chairpersons of the areas he or she is coming from and stating how they might have acquired the animal or moving with it.

The same letter will also be endorsed by the sub county chairpersons of the respective areas.

Ojok explained that the new regulation seeks to prevent animal theft and rustling in the area, which are commonly done during the night hours.

Charles Omona, a resident of Biwaga welcomed the move saying that it will relieve cattle keepers of the recurrent cattle theft in the district which had made them spend sleepless nights due to fear.

Agago district lies astride Abim and Kotido districts, areas greatly affected by cattle rustlers.

According to the police annual crime report for 2020 released last week, 1,768 heads of cattle were rustled and 617 were recovered.

The report further indicates that 19 people were killed during the rustling while 15 sustained serious injuries.

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