Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Bardege-Layibi Division MP claims that Government is deliberately frustrating cattle restocking efforts in Acholi by allowing the pastoralists to move freely with their animals despite outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the country.
With payments expected to be effected beginning October, Kafuuzi told claimants that Government considered to pay uniformly a sum of one million shillings for each cow to each of the claimants in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub regions.
Perez Asiimwe, a resident of Nyakarongo village claimed that domestic animals like pigs, goats and cows have started dying as a result of being bitten by the flies.
The affected residents say on the 1st of August 1988, LRA rebels stormed the area and overran the then National Resistance Army – NRA barracks and attacked civilians at the Internally Displaced Persons – IDP camp. The claimants also say for over 20 years, they have made requests to the Government through their elected leaders but nothing has been forthcoming which has prompted them to make fresh claims.
Fred Tumwine, a farmer in Buseruka Sub County Hoima district says a cow that would cost 2 Million Shillings in the past now goes shillings 1.2 million.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states have finally endorsed the implementation roadmap for the IGAD transhumance protocol that will allow cross border pastoralism.
George Obia, the Lira District Police Commander says that the ban is to aide security attempts to reduce increasing theft of livestock.According to Obia, all animal traders are required to only transport their livestock between 7 am and 6 pm.
The ban was announced last year after 138 head of cattle tested positive for Foot and Mouth Disease FMD, a severe and highly contagious viral livestock infection. The disease affects cattle and swine as well as sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.
The dairy sector has strong exposure to the effects of climate change, especially during the dry season when in some parts of Uganda lack of water and animal feed results into diary stock deaths.
Moses Muzima, the Isingiro District Police Commander, says they managed to rescue the suspects and transferred them to Isingiro Central Police Station for safe custody.
Pretazio Kasimiire, the Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigations Department Mitooma District, says the two were picked up while trying to sell three stolen cows.
Swizin Bukenya, the Nyakatonzi Sub county LC III chairperson who also doubles as a livestock dealer explained to URN how the disease is almost eating away their entire livestock. According to Bukenya, the disease has claimed more than 200 goats in Nyakatonzi Sub County alone.
Tumukunde says he has been feeding his animals on banana peelings he collects from peoples homes, but he can no longer find them because the bananas are out of season.
Section of residents lead by James Mubiru a resident of Nyimbwa Sub County complain that the cattle that were intended to uplift the poor people were instead given to local councilors and local leaders who already rich.
It is alleged that Ongom hit Achire with a beer bottle on the head. He was rushed to Kitgum referral hospital where he was pronounced dead in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
