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.
The Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) has asked the
communities in the Teso region to brand their livestock for easy identification when stolen.
This follows the outcry of Teso leaders especially in the districts of
Kapelebyong and Katakwi over the increasing cases of cattle thefts by suspected Karamojongs for the last two months.
John Gray Ambayo, the ASTU Commandant attributes the thefts of
livestock in Katakwi and Kapelebyong to pastoralists who abandon their animals in the grazing fields.
Ambayo says that if the livestock is not branded, ASTU are always faced with a
problem of more than three cattle keepers claiming ownership of the recovered cows.
More than ten years ago, the government through the Ministry of Agriculture,
Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) branded most animals in Karamoja, which
reduced cattle thefts in the sub-region.
However, Ambayo says the cattle keepers should not wait for the long term plan
of government to brand their animals, but should instead start
the initiative.
According to Ambayo, the branding of livestock can be done by the
communities but with the support of experienced sub-county
extension workers.
//Cue in: “They need to start...
Cue out ... the marking properly.”//.
Ambayo also asked the pastoralists to remain vigilant and report
cases of cattle thefts to the security personnel in time.
Joseph Eigu Onyango
Freelancer