President Yoweri Kaguta Museven has on Wednesday 17 May 2023 met with Lango sub-region leaders to see how cattle rustling in the region can be defeated
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has responded to the ongoing cattle raids by suspected Karamojong cattle raiders.
During a gathering with political, cultural, and religious leaders in Lango sub-region at Baralegi state lodge in Otuke District, the President outlined the necessary steps to tackle the problem.
Acknowledging the existing gaps in security, Museveni highlighted issues such as the lack of coordination between the army and locals, corruption among UPDF commanders, and the sluggish response to security reports regarding cattle rustling.
To address these challenges, President Museveni has ordered the recruitment of 12 Local Defense Unit (LDU) personnel in each parish bordering the Karamoja region.
In addition to the LDU recruitment, the President suggested deploying 18 police officers at all police posts per sub-county across the country to enhance the fight against insecurity. President Museveni expressed his concern over the underutilization of the existing police force despite the prevailing insecurity.
‘I met with the Lango sub region leaders. I re-echoed my earlier message to the Acholi leaders that this cattle rustling problem will be defeated as we have identified the gaps these raiders take advantage of and we shall close them.”Mr. Museveni said.
On the issue of the school going children affected by cattle rustling, they should be allowed to study for free in government schools until the situation normalizes.
The State Minister in-charge of Northern Uganda, will coordinate with all the relevant authorities to document all the affected persons, for them to receive relief aid.
“I am concluding engagements on this matter by holding a meeting with leaders from Karamoja region this afternoon.”Mr. Museveni added.
Mr. Museveni while meeting Acholi sub-region leaders on Monday 15 May 2023 at Baralegi State Lodge, leaders requested him to talk about the problem of cattle rustling by the Karamojong raiders.
Mr. Museveni assured them that the government know about the potential and limitations of the issues they raised and they will solve that problem decisively.
Karamajongo cattle rustlers have been attacking farmers frequently in most of the Lango, Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions districts stealing animals as well as injuring and people.
