Residents run to IGP over livestock theft
Cattle at a livestock market in Mbarara District. Farmers in the district want the IGP to fight cases of livestock. FILE PHOTO
MBARARA- The police in Mbarara District are on the spot over alleged mishandling of investigations into livestock theft and failure to curb the vice in Bubaare Sub-county, Mbarara District.
The farmers petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr Martin Okoth Ochola, saying theft of cows and goats in the area has reached an alarming level.
“…Since 2017 to date, the residents have lost more than 300 cows and more than 2,000 goats and the most annoying thing is that the suspects are known. And when they are arrested, they either get their way out at police or court,” the farmers led by Mr Dickens Kagarura, wrote last week.
Mr Kagarura who lost 21 head of cattle to thugs, has since reported the matter to police but he claimed that no action has been taken.
Mr Kagarura, who is also the Bubaare Sub-county National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson, said leaders and victims have reported various complaints to Mbarara Police Station and other police posts but little has been done to bring culprits to book.
“Sir, the craziest part of this cattle rustling scam in my sub-county is that the stolen cows were loaded on a lorry truck a kilometre away from the police post of Anti Stock Theft Unit on Mbarara-Ishaka road, which was established a few months back to curb the vice,” reads the complaint copied to President Museveni and the directorate of Criminal Investigations at Kibuli.
When contacted, the police spokesperson, Mr Emilian Kayima, could not comment on the matter saying he needed more time to get a full report.
“I can promise to study the contents of these complaints, share them with relevant police authorities to fully investigate these cases. The Regional Police Commander will be instructed to handle and furnish us with feedback in a week’s time. By that, we shall know the facts behind these claims and act appropriately,” Mr Kayima said.
Efforts to get a comment from Rwizi region police spokesperson, Mr Samson Kasasira were futile as his known telephone number remained unanswered by press time.
Call for Flying Squad Unit
The residents requested the police to deploy Flying Squad Unit officers to handle the suspects and curb the vice.
“Theft of animals without any remedy threatens the livelihood and security of the residents and in the short-run, it is going to encourage mob action as people would seem not to be trusting the investigating and justice system. It is as if the police Criminal Investigations Directorate soothes the criminals and that is why when they are released or when some are still in detention, the vice re-occurs,” reads part of the letter.
