URN.Stephen Byaruhanga Mfashingabo, the Buliisa Resident District Commissioner-RDC says it has come to their notice that some LC I Chairpersons are behind the rampant cattle thefts in the area.
LC I Chairpersons in Buliisa district are under the spotlight over the escalating cattle thefts in the area. Security officials accuse some LCI Chairpersons of conniving with cattle thieves to provide them with livestock movement permits at the night.
Buliisa is currently experiencing a surge in cattle thefts. The most affected are Butiaba, Ngwedu, Kigwera, Bullisa sub-counties and Buliisa town council. Statistics from security indicate that between 10-15 cows are stolen in the district on a weekly basis, a thing that is bothering both cattle farmers and security.
Stephen Byaruhanga Mfashingabo, the Buliisa Resident District Commissioner-RDC says it has come to their notice that some LC I Chairpersons are behind the rampant cattle thefts in the area.
“These people connive and give these thieves documents allowing them to transport cows during night hours, a thing that is escalating cattle theft in the area. We are closely monitoring and profiling the LCI Chairpersons who are engaged in the act and soon action will be taken against them,” said Mfashingbo.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson, says they have received intelligence indicating that most LC 1 Chairpersons connive with cattle thieves, adding that they are currently investigating those implicated.
However, some of the LCI Chairpersons URN spoke to in the district, denied the allegations levelled against them.
Deo Ntakimanyi, the LC I Chairperson of Watembu Village in Butiaba town council instead accuses security of laxity. He calls on security agencies to strengthen their surveillance network instead of accusing them of fuel livestock theft.
Augustine Bagonza, the LC I chairperson of Masaka landing site in Buliisa sub-county also asks security to intensify patrols and establish road checkpoints, especially during night hours to fight the rampant cattle theft.
He says no one can issue travel documents to cattle thieves. Fred Kumakech, the Booma landing site LC I Chairperson in the Butiaba sub-county also denies the accusations levelled against them. He says some herdsmen connive with thugs to steal animals from the kraals under their care.
Patrick Kasumba, a cattle farmer at Bugoigo landing site, says that between January and March, he lost 10 cows to suspected thugs. Charles Kabwino, another cattle farmer at Butiaba landing site, says that he lost 5 cows in March this year to the thugs. He says if no immediate attention is taken, most farmers will remain without animals following a surge in cattle theft.
According to security, the stolen animals are transported to Gulu, Lira, Pakwach, Apac, Kitgum while others are taken to Kampala, Masaka and Nakasongola districts. In December last year, security arrested more than 50 suspected cattle thieves in the Albertine region.
The arrests followed public complaints about the rampant cattle thefts. Security also managed to recover 10 cows from the thugs.
