KCCA moves to rid city of stray animals

KAMPALA - In an effort to maintain law and order and to keep the city clean, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) enforcement officers have embarked on an operation in city suburbs to seize stray animals.

As many as 35 roaming cows, bulls and sheep were led on foot from Kisaasi to the city abattoir at Old Port Bell road, which somewhat affected traffic flow on the normally busy Jinja road.

During the movement, it turned into chaotic scenes as the animals kept moving into the middle of the road. Some pedestrians were seen looking threatened by the presence of the animals.

Along the way, one of the cattle slipped and fell into a ditch, before being pulled out by the KCCA officials after a struggle.

Earlier this week, KCCA carried out the same operation in the city where they seized nine cows and took them to the city abattoir.

Dr. Emilian Ahimbisibwe is the in-charge of veterinary services at KCCA.

He said the animals were seized as by the Kampala City Council Livestock and Companion Act of 2006 which prohibits the movement and grazing of stray animals in the city.

The owners of the stray animals had been served with several warnings on the movement of the animals, he added.

Ahimbisibwe said the animals were also found grazing on city grass and destroying flowers planted by KCCA meant to beautify the city.

"KCCA appreciates urban farming but does not accept stray animals to loiter in the city, causing jam, accidents and destruction of city plants."

Owners of seized cattle will have to part with a penalty fee of sh10,000 for each animal collected from the city abattoir, said Ahimbisibwe.

They will have to present a receipt of payment from KCCA as proof.