Rose Anena, a farmer in Lokung Sub County in Lamwo district is one of the farmers who fell victim to the theft of approximately 1,800 kilograms of simsim. According to Anena, thieves raid their gardens mainly in the night or when it is raining.
Simsim farmers in Kitgum and Lamwo districts have resorted
to using snares in their gardens to avert the rampant theft of their produce. The
arrival of the harvest season has come with increased cases of theft of the high-value crop.
Rose Anena, a farmer in Lokung Sub County in Lamwo district is one of the
farmers who fell victim to the theft of approximately 1,800 kilograms of
simsim. According to Anena, thieves raid their gardens mainly in the night or
when it is raining.
//Cue in: “kudiku an apuk…..
Cue out: ….ma konye pe,”//
Michael Oneka, a resident of Oget village in Akwang Sub County in Kitgum
district, also a
victim, says farmers who are unable to hire security guards to keep watch of
their gardens are forced to spend nights in their gardens to secure their crops.
He says some of the farmers who can’t keep watch of their gardens for fear of
the thieves have resorted to setting up animal snares to catch the thieves.
//Cue in: “Malube ki…..
Cue out:….lukwo okwanyo,”//
The traps are usually set up near the gardens are covered with dirt. Once one
steps on the snare, it triggers a set of jaws designed to injure the leg of the
thief who will remain there until the farmer returns.
David Akera, a farmer in
Lalekan village in Kiteny Sub County has asked the authorities to do the needful
and stop the thieves because their actions expose them to food insecurity.
Kitgum Resident District Commissioner, William Komakech has confirmed
the concern of the farmers and warned the produce thieves, saying they will be
hunted down to face the law.
Komakech also urges farmers to be vigilant and keep a watchful eye on
their personal safety and property during the harvest period.
He also advises
the farmers to transfer the harvested crops to their homes for safety.
