Five arrested over stolen cattle

ARREST

OTUKE - The Police and other security agencies in Otuke district have intercepted a truck transporting 20 cattle at Acan Pii in Olilim. Five suspects who were transporting the livestock were also arrested.

According to security, the suspects were cattle traders and they allegedly stole the wows in Olilim and Orum sub-counties.

The group was arrested on Saturday after a tip off by the residents about their missing livestock.

Residents of Otuke are bitter about the crossing of Karamojong herdsmen with at least 8,000 livestock to search for water and pasture.

However, John Wafula, the resident district commissioner who heads the security in the district, advised residents to look after their animals.

Police contradiction

North Kyoga Police spokesperson Ogom Mudong said the suspected traders were released after realising that they were transporting their animals.

"I got information from the district police commander that they have been released," he said on Tuesday.

But Wafula , DPC and the district woman legislator, Silvia Akello, confirmed that the five suspects were still under police custody.

"We shall take them to court and charge them with livestock theft," Wafula said.

Meanwhile minister for Karamojong Affairs, John Byagabambi said to stop Karamojong herdsmen from crossing to the neighbouring districts to look for water, the Government has secured funds from the Germany Government to construct a dam in Kotido.