In response to the rising cases of animal theft in the Savannah Region.
Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Major General Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi has directed the deployment of extra law enforcement personnel to tackle the issue.
The decision follows a troubling surge in cattle thefts reported across various districts within the region, including Nakasongola, Nakaseke, and Luwero.
According to the Police Crime report for 2023, Nakasongola recorded 163 cases of cattle theft, while Nakaseke reported 113 cases. Luwero district has also been significantly affected by these thefts.
IGP Katsigazi swiftly took action by convening a high-level security meeting in the region to devise strategies to curb the rampant thefts.
The meeting, held at Luwero Diocese Guest House, brought together key stakeholders, including area commanders from the Police Force, Prison Service, and Uganda People’s Defense Force, along with local leaders, Intelligence Officers, magistrates, and State Attorneys.
During the meeting, Erastus Kibirango, the LCV Chairman of Luwero District, highlighted the plight of residents who had invested in animal rearing through loans acquired under the Parish Development Model (PDM) program. Many participants in the program have suffered losses due to the theft of their cattle.
Kibirango emphasized that thieves often target kraals at night, stealing cattle before transporting them to abattoirs in Kampala city.
He added that this pattern of theft has not only caused financial hardship for affected individuals but has also undermined efforts to promote agricultural development and livelihood improvement in the region.
Kibirango stated that thieves have formed cartels connected to top government officials to help them secure releases from Police cells.
Samuel Mwesigwa, the LCIII Chairman of Kinyogogga sub-county in Nakaseke, mentioned that even Policemen fear cattle thieves and release them immediately after receiving calls from top government officials.
Enock Nyongore, the Nakaseke North Member of Parliament, informed the IGP that several unpatrolled routes in the communities make it easy for thieves to steal and transport cattle to markets.
Police Commanders informed the IGP that, besides inadequate manpower to patrol the areas, magistrates have frustrated the fight against cattle theft by granting bail and dismissing cases against known thieves.
However, Luwero Chief Magistrate Mariam Nalujja Ssemwanga defended the release of accused persons, stating that complainants often fail to appear in court to testify. Nalujja instead accused Policemen of settling many cases of cattle theft at the station and failing to present them to courts.
In response to these concerns, IGP Katsigazi assured meeting attendees that measures would be taken to enhance security and intensify efforts to apprehend perpetrators. He ordered the deployment of more Policemen and equipment to intensify patrols in hotspots to curb animal thefts.
Katsigazi also reiterated the directives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries that banned the transportation of animals at night to combat thefts.
He urged leaders and commanders to provide a list of government officials involved with thieves so that appropriate action could be taken, or President Yoweri Museveni could be informed.
Katsigazi also warned Policemen against profiting from cattle and land cases, stating that these would be dismissed if reported.
There are currently 978 Policemen spread throughout the Savannah Region, comprising Luwero, Nakaseke, and Nakasongola districts.
The deployment of additional Policemen aims to strengthen surveillance and deter criminal activities associated with animal theft.
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