Half of the 22 head of cattle which were recently stolen from Napak District have been recovered in Katakwi.
The cows were stolen on April 25, from Kaiselem village in Poron Sub-county, Napak district from the sons of area residents Paul Longok and Longole Apariyo who were grazing livestock when heavy rains started. It was during this time that wrong elements raided the cows and quickly crossed over to Usuk.
In the aftermath, the joint security forces from Kaiselem traced the cows but recovered only 12 head of cattle on April 26. Mt Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson Michael Longole noted that three of the cattle were slaughtered, and seven are still missing.
Longole said that the Yankee battalion of the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces had apprehended one Simon Morutum, a resident of Ongongoja to aid investigations. Longole said that the suspect was found slaughtering one of the bulls and later led the forces to one Martin Ochero who sold it to him.
Longole added that the suspects had been detained at the Yankee Battalion headquarters pending further investigations.
In a related development, cattle traders operating in Karamoja have been given an ultimatum of one month to acquire trading licenses to allow them to operate smoothly without interference from security and fight cattle thefts.
Elias Kasirabo, the Commandant of the Anti Stock Theft Unit issued the ultimatum during a meeting at Mt. Moroto Regional Police Headquarters. Kasirabo also warned security officers against extortion at the checkpoints stating that those involved in the act will be arrested together with the giver.
While addressing traders, Brig. Gen Felix Busizoori, the UPDF 3rd Division Commander urged traders to stop illegalities but instead regularize the cattle trade business for proper identity of those who are cattle traders and cattle hawkers.
He said that measures had been put in place to regulate the business because cattle raids are facilitated by traders involved in transporting stolen livestock, giving way to cattle rustlers to continue raiding livestock.
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