Authorities in Agago district have imposed a ban on night
movements with livestock following rampant theft.
Leonard Opiyo Ojok, the Agago LCV Chairperson, says that the decision was
reached jointly last week by members of the security and local leaders in the
district.
The decision followed last week`s incident in which suspected cattle rustlers
stormed Biwaga Parish in Lira-Kato Sub County in the deep night and vanished
with more than 30 heads of cattle.
Ojok explained that the new regulation states that livestock movement within
the district is only allowed between 6:00 am and 6:00 p.m.
The other requirements also demand anyone moving with livestock in the district
to produce a stamped letter from the office of the LCI and LCII Chairpersons of
the areas he or she is coming from and stating how they might have acquired the
animal or moving with it.
The same letter will also be endorsed by the Sub County Chairpersons of the
respective areas.
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Cue out: …County must confirm.’’//.
Ojok explained that the new regulation seeks to prevent animal theft and
rustling in the areas which are commonly done during the night hours.
Charles Omona, a resident of Biwaga welcomed the move saying that it will
relieve cattle keepers of the recurrent cattle theft in the district which had
made them spend sleepless nights due to fear.
Agago District lies astride Abim and Kotido districts, the areas are greatly
affected by cattle rustlers.
According to the police annual crime report for 2020 released last week, 1,768
heads of cattle were rustled and 617 were recovered.
The report further indicates that 19 people were killed during the rustling
while 15 sustained serious injuries.
Emmy Daniel Ojara
Freelancer