Leaders in West Nile tipped on animal rights protection

The commissioner of the Agricultural Police Unit Hillary Odoch, has urged Police officers, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), District Internal Security Officers and the District Veterinary Officers in West Nile to intensify on animal check points to control theft, fake movement permits and movement of animals that are quarantined to control spread of diseases.

Hillary Odoch also the commandant Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) said, the government of Uganda recognises that agriculture is fundamental in the development to achieve Vision 2040 to transform Uganda from a pre-dominantly low income country to a competitive upper middle income country.

Odoch during a meeting with district security leaders of the nine districts in West Nile region that was held in Arua on Thursday, appealed to the police to wake up and enforce animal rights protection following irregularities in the issuance of animal movement permits.

"Movement permits make the police identify where the animals are coming from, how many are aboard, and also control the theft of animals." - Odoch 

Odoch advised the group to work closely with the District Security Committee in order to fight counterfeit seeds, chemicals, wrong issuance of permits and also intensify on animal check points.

He also cautioned farmers on the use of chemicals for both livestock and crop production urging them to alert police on fake chemicals on the market to avoid loses.

The Resident District Commissioner Yumbe Manase Wadia, witnessed that Ugandans do not respect rights of animals and fail to protect animals. 

He said most people tie up the animals during transportation to market places and shambles among other places hence abusing the rights of animals.

He challenged leaders to be exemplary and lead in agriculture.

The RDC noted that, cases of fake animal drugs and pesticides for spraying which are in the market risk lives of animals and emphasized routine checkup of animal drug shops for counterfeit products 

"We must protect the agricultural sector if we want it to grow. Our responsibility as stakeholders should be paramount to promote agriculture." Wadia said.

He implored farmers in West Nile region to ensure they grow specific crops for export.

"We need to import and export to boost both local and national economy for the country" Wadia advised