By eastafrican gazette
As part of the measures to curb livestock theft, all cattle traders in the Karamoja sub-region have been instructed to obtain trade permits immediately.
The commander of the Police Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASITU), Elias Kasirabo, stated that in order to avoid involvement from security personnel, all cattle traders must get livestock trading licenses.
Cattle traders and commanders issued a joint statement outlining tight restrictions, including the need for traceability certificates, regulated transportation, and the prevention of extortion and bribery at checkpoints.
Brig Gen. Felix Busizoori, the Deputy Commander of the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) 3rd Division, stated that it is critical for traders to regulate their operations in order to identify legitimate dealers from cattle hawkers who, he claims, facilitate cattle raids.
This was during a meeting at the Mount Moroto Region Police headquarters on April, 29, 2024.
All traders in livestock were given one month to process their permits starting April 29, 2024 or be arrested and face further penalties after.
Busizoori emphasized that procedures have been implemented to govern the cattle trade, such as the demand for traceability certificates and the use of gazetted routes for transportation.
He noted that cattle traders must follow the recommendations to combat livestock theft and maintain a smooth cattle trade industry.
Why licenses are key
On August 25, 2023, the Karamoja sub-region’s combined security forces apprehended five livestock traders at the Chepsikunya security checkpoint with stolen cows.
It is claimed that the dealers purchased 120 cows from the Karita livestock market and transported them via non-designated livestock routes.
However, during the interrogation by security agents, the dealers disclosed that the Amudat District Veterinary Officer and other key political leaders helped them purchase and transport the animals.
One of the vendors from Bukedea district stated that he was allegedly contacted by some people who said they had over 120 cows ready for sale outside of market hours.
He emphasized that he later received a confirmation call from the district’s Veterinary Officer and the District Chairperson, assuring him of a sincere transaction.
He hired three trucks from Mbale to pick the cows that they were selling between Uganda shs400,000 and shs600,000, which was considerably cheaper than the market price of around Uganda shs1,000,000.
The trader claimed to have loaded the animals in front of security agents, and the accused officials assisted him in crossing the first checkpoint in Nakapiripirit district before being intercepted in Kween area.
According to Michael Longole, spokesperson for the Mt Moroto Regional Police, the dealers were apprehended for carrying animals via illicit ways, away from designated two routes for cattle traders.
Traders from Amudat, Nakapiripirit, and Kotido districts are supposed to travel through Moroto-Soroti Road, which requires cattle verification at the Nadunget checkpoint, while those from Kaabong and Karenga must use the Kitgum district road.
During verification, security was able to identify 30 stolen cows from the trucks, which were part of the 300 heads of cattle stolen from Nakapiripit region the night before on August 22, 2023, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers as they pursued the stolen animals.