Katakwi court to help identify stolen animals

Aug 20, 2016

“The animals were returned because some residents in Nakapiripirit district claimed that the cows identified by the Katakwi locals belong to them,”

Authorities in the Eastern district of Katakwi have resolved to use court to help in the identification of animals stolen by suspected Karimojong warriors.

Government forces recently recovered 93 head of cattle from Zakaale parish in Nakapiripirit district.

The head of cattle were suspected to have been stolen from the districts bordering Karamoja sub region.

On August 5th, 2016, the leadership and locals of the neighboring districts traveled to identify their animals in Lolacat Sub County, Nakapiripirit district.

About 28 people from Katakwi who claimed their animals were stolen by suspected Karimojong raiders managed to identify 42 head of cattle while locals from Bugisu sub region also claimed the balance of 51 cows belonged to them.

 

RDC Katakwi, Filbert Ocailap said the 42 animals were driven to Iising Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) barracks in Palam Sub County in Katakwi but were again returned to Nakapiripirit district due to the directive from the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) commanders.

"The animals were returned because some residents in Nakapiripirit district claimed that the cows identified by the Katakwi locals belong to them," Ocailap said.

According to the Katakwi RDC, most people from Ngariam, Palam, Ongongoja and part of Magoro sub counties lost their animals to the suspected Karimojong rustlers between June and July this year.

 

John Nangiro the LC-5 Chairperson Nakapiripirit district backed his people that they are the owners of these animals.

The locals from Katakwi have made statements at Katakwi Central Police Station so that they are able to get back their animals after the court ruling.

The Officer in-charge Katakwi Central Police Station, Peter Oduko confirmed that they have received statements from the people of Katakwi who claim the 42 animals belong to them.

 

"We are investigating the matter so that soon the Karimojong and Iteso who claim the animals are theirs will come with their evidences to defend their claims before court," Oduko said.

However some leaders of Karamoja are not happy with this move by Katakwi leadership to use court for settling that matter.

Early this year, when Katakwi district threatened to do the same, the LC-5 Napak, Joseph Lomonyang said at Iiriri sub county that it was better for the matter to be resolved through calling several dialogue meetings not hurrying to court.

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