20-armed Karamojong raid Kraal

CATTLE RUSTLING

Barely a week after security agencies fired at cattle rustlers killing one on the spot in kween, yesterday twenty armed Karamojong men raided a kraal in Agago district.

Preliminary Police findings indicate that incidents of cattle raids by suspected Karamojong warriors have persisted in some parts of Karamoja sub-region despite enhanced vigilance by security and other stakeholders.

During a crackdown, a total of 72 head of cattle that were stolen by Karamojong warriors were recovered by the army together with the Police's Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU).

According to Police, the armed rustlers (20) raided a communal kraal at Aringa Village, in Agago district.

Security agencies (ASTU and army) pursued the warriors, intercepted them at Lomoro village in Ngora Parish and recovered all the livestock.

Last week, Police pursued five cattle rustlers that escaped with bullet injuries sustained after a fierce battle with the army, in Kween district.

The armed rustlers were intercepted at Cheborom village (Kween) by both the Police and army. A total of 203 stolen cows were recovered.  Police said cattle theft is on the increase in the area and efforts are underway to thwart the rising crime.

Report

According to the 2019 annual Crime Report, 7,665 cases of cattle thefts were reported compared to 7,161 reported in 2018, which is an increase of 7.0%.

At least, 22,064 animals were stolen, out of which 9,133 were recovered, while 12,931 were still being traced by the end of last year.

Out of the 22,064 animals stolen, cattle theft was leading with 11,442. Others were goats, sheep, pigs and donkey.

Kiruhura district registered the highest number of cases with 387, followed by Nakasongola (162) and Tororo (158). The four districts, including Buikwe and Karenga, did not register any case of cattle theft.