In a bid to address the persistent issue of commercialized
cattle raids, the Joint Security Forces in the Karamoja sub-region have
implemented designated routes for cattle traders. This move aims to curb the
illegal cattle trade, which has fueled the motivation for cattle rustlers to
continue their raids due to the availability of a ready market.
Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson, informed URN that two
routes have been designated for both South and North Karamoja. Traders from the
districts of Amudat, Nakapiripirit, and Kotido will utilize the Moroto to
Soroti Road, with a mandatory verification of cows at the Nadunget checkpoint. On
the other hand, districts such as Kaabong and Karenga will use the road to the Kitgum district.
Longole
expressed his concerns over the persistent illegal transportation of cows,
despite the security measures in place. He issued a warning that any animals being
transported through non-designated routes would be impounded and treated as
stolen property.
Efforts are being made to exhaust all possible measures to bring
an end to commercialized raids. However, security forces have not yet mapped
routes for Karenga and Abim districts due to the absence of livestock markets
in those areas.
//Cue in: "We have put routes………
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Denis Okori, the Resident District Commissioner of Napak,
emphasized that the existence of a thriving market for stolen cows has provided
lucrative business opportunities for cattle rustlers. Okori noted that cows are
now targeted solely for sale, rather than for cultural purposes such as
prestige or as a means to pay the bride price.
He further explained that the cattle
business has made it challenging to track stolen cows, as they are rapidly sold
to buyers who transport them out of the region.
Okori
expressed optimism that the designation of routes for cattle dealers will help
curtail the illegal transportation of stolen cows to undisclosed destinations.
//Cue in: “Since animals have ……
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Nevertheless,
some elders in Moroto express skepticism regarding the efficacy of this
measure, citing corruption among individuals in positions of authority. Mark
Aol Musoka, an Elder in Acholi Inn ward of Moroto municipality, dismissed the
route designation as a futile effort due to alleged collusion between security
forces, raiders, and cattle dealers.
Musoka argued that even with designated
routes, stolen cows would continue to be transported along the same roads, as
checkpoints fail to impede their passage. He also cited the example of illegal
crude waragi (a distilled alcoholic beverage) from the Jinja district, which
manages to reach Karamoja despite the presence of checkpoints.
//Cue in: ‘’Let them give it……….
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Jackson Angela, another Elder from Rupa sub-county in Moroto
district, believes that security forces can only achieve their objectives by
intensifying efforts to harshly punish anyone found transporting animals
outside the designated roads. Angela acknowledged the difficulty in eradicating
the vice, as even traders utilizing the designated routes acquire duplicated
movement permits through connivance with security forces and other agencies.
He
revealed a loss of trust in the fight against commercial cattle raids, as even
village chairpersons, who should spearhead the struggle, have been bribed to
authorize the sale of stolen cows.
//Cue in: "Unless security works…….
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Recently, in
a successful operation, the security team in Amudat district recovered 20 cows
from an abattoir in Nairobi, Kenya. These cows had been raided from Chepskunya
Town Council in Kween district and subsequently sold to traders from West Pokot
in Kenya.
