Satya Peter, the LC5 Councilor for Ngenge Sub-County, said the raiders often disguise themselves to infiltrate communities. “Suspected raiders appear at trading centers as customers, especially at the drinking joints. Others come as hawkers, others as friends and visitors to some community members,” Satya explained.
Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah Regional Police spokesperson, informed Uganda Radio Network (URN) that, following a tip-off from concerned locals, the police deployed officers to search for the stolen cattle. This led to a successful operation, culminating in the interception of the thieves in Mazzi village, Kamira Town Council, within Luwero District.
Since the operation began in November 2024, police have documented 50 cases of cattle theft, involving 461 stolen animals. Of these, 352 have been recovered.
Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah Regional Police spokesperson, says that preliminary information indicates that the chairman of Kakala village received a distress call about a dead body found along the road.
District Chairperson Alone Turahi later told Journalists that the decision is arising out of the increasing cases of cattle theft in the district. He said the district had registered more than five cases of Mob Justice against suspects who had been granted bail by the courts.
Michael Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional police spokesperson, says that a team of officers planted on the ground to regulate cattle trade has been able to intercept between three and five stolen cows during market day.
During the launch of the 42nd Tarehe Sita week activities in Kazo district on Saturday, the LC V Chairperson Rev Samuel Katugunda asked the 2nd Division Commander to deploy UPDF soldiers for at least one month to help deal with the cattle thieves.
Fredmark Chesang, the Sipi region Police spokesperson says that the decision was made during the December 20th, 2022 security meeting with the Police Anti-stock theft unit (ASTU), on how to reduce on the cases of livestock theft during the festive season.
Lucy Nakori, a resident of Loputuk sub-county in Moroto district, says that the warriors who were passing by her home carried away the food she was cooking and continued with their raiding mission.
John Lowal, a resident of Kangole, says that their cattle are only secure in the protected kraals and the community is scared of releasing oxen for ploughing for fear of falling victims to rustlers. Lowal says that the raiders have a tendency of ambushing communities while they are in their gardens and take away their animals.
The ASTU Commander Elias Kasirabo says that if the traders or sellers fail to provide required documents relating to the sale or movement of cattle from one destination to another, police will hold the cattle as investigations continue.
Recounting the ordeal, John Kavuma, the farm manager, who stays a distance away, says that he rushed after learning about the development. He explains that the pregnant woman managed to untie herself and helped untie her colleagues.
In Nakasongola and Luwero districts, at least 96 heads of cattle have been stolen during curfew since it was revised in June this year. In Lyantonde 67 animals in Lyantonde, 54 and 40 thefts were registered in Lango and Sebie sub-regions respectively in June.
Speaking to Uganda Radio Network (URN), the Livingstone Gitta, Bulyake village Local Council 1 chairperson, says that this prompted the suspected thugs to abandon the vehicle in the middle of the road around 7 am and flee for their dear lives.
John Wanade, the Bulambuli District Commercial Officer, says although the military detach at Kata bordering Bunambutye and Kapchorwa district has helped to curtail the thefts, they need a permanent solution.
