Security recovers 27 stolen head of cattle in Nabilatuk
According to Mt Moroto Regional Police and ASTU spokesperson Mike Longole, security teams launched the operation on July 20 after receiving intelligence at about 5:00pm that five head of cattle had been stolen from Katakwi.
Mt Moroto Regional Police and ASTU spokesperson Mike Longole. (File photo)
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A joint operation by the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has led to the recovery of 27 head of cattle in Nabilatuk District following a reported livestock theft in neighbouring Katakwi District.
The recovery adds to a series of successful security operations this year aimed at dismantling cattle theft syndicates operating across Karamoja and other parts of the country.
According to Mt Moroto Regional Police and ASTU spokesperson Mike Longole, security teams launched the operation on July 20 after receiving intelligence at about 5:00pm that five head of cattle had been stolen from Katakwi.
An ASTU team from Moruangamion Zonal Headquarters, commanded by Assistant Inspector of Police James Odio, was immediately deployed to a suspected crossing point commonly used by cattle thieves.
"While on the operation, the ASTU team linked up with UPDF personnel who were also conducting tracking. The joint team intercepted and impounded 27 head of cattle that had crossed on footmarks," Longole said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of joint security forces towards combating cattle rustling and cross-border livestock theft in Karamoja sub-region and the neighbouring areas of Sebei, Bugisu and Teso.
Police urged members of the public, who have recently lost cattle to report to Moruangamion ASTU Zonal headquarters with proof of ownership to facilitate identification and recovery.
The latest recovery follows a string of similar operations by security agencies targeting livestock thieves.
On March 9, police announced the arrest of four suspects in separate operations against cattle theft and aggravated robbery in the Kampala Metropolitan area.
Earlier, on February 14, police announced the arrest of six suspects in connection with the theft of 105 head of cattle from the farm of former East African Legislative Assembly Speaker Dan Kidega, in Amuru District.
According to Aswa West Regional Police spokesperson David Mudong Ongom, the suspects were arrested during a joint operation by police and the UPDF after the stolen animals were intercepted at Ajok village in Lakang sub-county as they were allegedly being driven across the River Nile.
Security forces recovered 84 of the stolen cattle, while efforts to trace the remaining 21 continued.
Police said investigations into the latest Nabilatuk stolen cattle recovery and previous cattle theft cases remain ongoing.
According to the 2025 annual police crime report released early this year, a total of 7,208 cases of animal theft were reported countrywide in 2025 compared to 7,222 cases reported in 2024.
Rwizi Region recorded the highest number of cases in 2025, with 857 cases; Mbarara followed with 175 cases, Isingiro with 165 cases, while Kazo had 148 cases.