Cattle theft on the rise, 32 guns recovered

May 30, 2019

When contacted, the district chairperson of Kaabong, Mark Abuk confirmed the incidences describing the issue as disastrous.

 
 
Livestock thefts, one of the Karamoja's oldest crime is on the rise again in the sub-region with the militant Turkana from Kenya and fighters from Kotido - Jie at the center stage.
 
Kaabong has been named as the worst hit. The surge in livestock theft is attributed to losses of animals during the recent drought since most herders want to replenish their stock as they return home.
 
When contacted, the district chairperson of Kaabong, Mark Abuk confirmed the incidences describing the issue as disastrous.
 
He said the thefts of one or two cows is now turning into massive raids as rains return.
 
"The oldest crime in Karamoja now seems to resurface with new tactics," Abuk said.
 
He explained that the rustlers strike om kraals in all directions ensuring that the soldiers cannot run everywhere before settling on specific kraals.
 
Abuk urges the army to deploy saying suspected Turkana rustlers have taken advantage of the vulnerable people in Kaabong who do not possess guns after disarmament.
 
In Abim district, the Resident District Commissioner Hazimbasa Hashaka said animal theft has been curbed by fast recoveries.
 
"We have so far recovered close to 400 animals stolen from Jie kraals," he said.
 
Hashaka cautioned parents to desist from sending their children to look after cows saying the juveniles end up sleeping and cows wonder away into the hands of the thieves.
 
UPDF speaks
 
The 3rd Division spokesperson Capt. Arbert Arinaitwe when contacted confirmed the recovery of 32 guns.
 
He said under an operation code-named, "Restore Hope 3" hundreds of cows have been recovered in the last four months of 2019.
 
"The army has also recovered rifles and rounds of ammunition," Arinaitwe said.
 
He said last week the suspected rustlers from Kenya raided the kraal of Ekone Alop'anyang of Kakamar sub-county. However, the UPDF was able to recover animals on short notice.
 
On Friday, the rustlers also raided the kraal of a prominent leader in Kaabong Sub County Samuel Loduk.
 
"We recovered the animals East of Loyoro Sub County towards the Kenya border," Arinaitwe noted.
 
Information availed to the New Vision indicate the Turkana are piling huge pressure on the UPDF, by raiding several places at ago, an issue that leaves the army scattered.
 
Mark Abuk the LC5 Kaabong appeals to the army to recover the animals stolen and taken to Kenya.

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