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Phillip Mukasa accuses some UPDF officers of disregarding the ban making it difficult for the police to enforce it.

Statistics from the Albertine region police headquarters indicate that over 100 cases of cattle thefts have been recorded since November last year.

The move follows a directive issued by President Yoweri Museveni during the Heroes Day Celebration on June 9, for investigations into the reported thefts. The matter had been brought to the President’s attention by Hajji Edris Sseddunga, the chairperson of the Uganda War Veterans Association.

The call for branding cattle follows an outcry of Teso leaders especially in the districts of Kapelebyong and Katakwi over the increasing cases of cattle thefts by the Karamojong thieves for the last two months.

Simon Peter Awot, the parish councilor of Loletyo in Panyangara suspects that the peace actor could have been targeted because of his hard stance on theft of livestock in the area.

The rampant thefts have affected revenue collection in Karugutu and Rwebisengo Sub Counties. Andrew Kawamara, the LCIII Chairperson of Rwebisengo Sub County says that local revenue collected from the sale of the cows has gradually reduced since there are no cows to sell due to the thefts.

Twenty-six-year-old Ivan Nganyira, a resident of Bwizibwera in Rwanyamahembe Sub County, is suspected to have masterminded the theft of over 400 cows and an unknown number of goats in six years.

Col. William Bainomugisha, the 406 Brigade Commander, says the army was forced to retaliate following an attack by the community members against uniformed officers. He blames the local leaders for inciting the community against the army.

Most of the stolen cows are smuggled to Kenya and Tanzania across Lake Victoria. In the past, Police has come under criticism for failing to stem the cattle thefts. In May last year, residents petitioned Richard Gulume Balyainho, the Buvuma Resident District Commissioner over the matter.

In response, police has set up outposts in Busunga and Kitete parish in Rwebisengo Sub County where the cattle thefts have been rampant.

Peter Muwonge, the Nakasongola CID Officer says police dropped dragnets, and barricades along Kitangaala-Kakooge road during the chase. The vehicle was eventually intercepted at Kyalweza.

The trio was netted during an operation by the Rapid Response Unit in Lira. Their crime- theft of goats and sheep from the three districts.

Cattle Keepers in Ntoroko district are blaming the rampant cattle theft in the district to police inefficiency. The indigenous Batuku in Ntoroko district, are predominately cattle keepers and the cattle is their only source of income to the households.

John Gaston Maliro, the Resident District Commissioner, says most of the stolen cattle is smuggled into Rwanda through Kabaale and to the DRC through Kasese district.

A new wave of cattle thefts has hit Budaka district. Over 50 cattle and 68 goats have been stolen in Budaka within a space of less than one month.