Security kills two raiders, recovers stolen cattle in Karamoja

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Security forces have intensified operations in Karamoja, recovering stolen livestock and cracking down on suspected cattle rustlers, even as incidents of revenge attacks claimed the lives of several suspected thieves in Kasese and Kumi districts.

Briefing the media on March 3, 2025, at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, Police spokesperson, Rusoke Kituuma, said joint security forces—the Uganda Police Force (UPF), the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU)—had successfully tracked down stolen cattle in Kotido and Napak districts.

“On February 28, our forces recovered seven cows stolen by suspected Jie warriors from Aduku Angela’s grazing area in Napak. One suspected warrior was put out of action, while another, who attempted to escape, was later killed by an angry group of residents,” Kituuma said.

He added that security teams had also launched investigations into the discovery of two unidentified bodies in Kotido district. The victims were reportedly abducted by armed groups involved in cattle theft and local conflicts.

“We call upon residents to report any suspicious activities related to livestock theft. The security forces remain committed to ensuring the safety of all communities in Karamoja,” Kituuma stated.

Kasese theft

Meanwhile, Kasese and Kumi districts have witnessed violent attacks on suspected criminals, with locals fatally assaulting individuals accused of theft.

In Mulamba, Kasese District, on February 28, residents launched a hunt for suspected coffee thieves, leading to the death of one suspect. The attack followed a wave of thefts in the area, prompting locals to track down those they believed were responsible.

“It was a day of intense tracking of suspected thieves. By evening, a motorcycle—registration number UFB 298M—was found abandoned in a banana plantation,” Kituuma said, adding that police later recovered three half-sacks of stolen coffee and other pieces of evidence.

The recovered items have been taken to the main Police station in Kasese as investigations continue.

Kituuma condemned the attack, emphasizing that law enforcement should handle such cases to avoid unnecessary loss of life.

“If the suspect had been arrested alive, we could have gathered valuable information to track down more criminals. We urge residents to work with the police rather than resort to violence,” he stated.

Kumi

A similar incident occurred in Kumi district, on March 1, when two men accused of livestock theft were killed. The suspects were reportedly transporting stolen sheep and goats on a motorcycle to Olimai Village, when they were intercepted by residents.

“The locals became suspicious and questioned the three men about the animals, but they failed to provide satisfactory answers. The motorcycle rider managed to escape, but the other two—were fatally attacked,” Kituuma explained.

The stolen animals were later recovered and are currently being held at Kumi Police Station, while the bodies of the deceased were transported to Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Kituuma warned individuals engaged in livestock and farm produce theft that police would no longer grant bond for such crimes.

“Anyone caught stealing livestock or crops should not expect police bond. I cannot speak for the judiciary, but I know that even getting court bail will not be easy,” he said.

He urged communities to refrain from taking justice into their own hands and instead report crimes to the police.