Lemusui Sub County in Nakapiripirit district has turned into a breeding ground for suspected cattle rustlers destabilizing South Karamoja, according to the security officials.
The sub county that has rocky terrain and is traversed by many streams is located on the slopes of Mt Kadam in Nakapiripirit district, bordering Amudat.
Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto regional police spokesperson said that these areas are being used as a hiding ground for cattle rustlers and other criminal elements from both Uganda and Kenya.
Longole said that the villages are barely accessible making it very difficult to carry out community policing and engage residents for peace.
Longole noted that the terrain in these villages has frustrated security work to carry out operations, creating opportunities for the wrong elements to carry out their criminal acts.
He also observed that the residents have abandoned the Uganda shillings currency and resorted to using Kenyan shillings for yet to be known reasons.
“We have learned that the only medium of exchange is Kenyan shillings, and Ugandan shillings are in limited use, sometimes rejected by the local community,” Longole said.
He warned the residents against using the Kenyan currency because it undermines the Ugandan shilling.
Longole revealed that they have instructed the area leadership to register all the cattle kraals, and the residents of each village.
He urged the medical workers who had also withdrawn from Lemusui health facility due to insecurity to resume work because they are now ready to provide security.
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