273 cattle stolen in Otuke district so far
By Denis Okello (denis.okello@vol.co.ug)
Otuke
273 heads of cattle have been stolen by suspected Karamojong cattle rustlers in Otuke district since the cattle rustlers launched cattle raids in the district.
North Kyoga regional police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema said the cattle theft happened in Ogwete, Olilim and Ogor Sub Counties.
He said 172 of the cattle was recovered by UPDF soldiers and returned to the owners while 101 are still in possession of the cattle rustlers.
Okema said recently, the Resident District Commissioner of Otuke, Gillian Akullo and the 5th division army commander Brigadier General William Bynomugisha held a security meeting to chart a way forward on the issue of cattle theft in Otuke and Alebtong districts.
He said the UPDF soldiers have been deployed in areas where the suspected Karamojong cattle rustlers are said to be using to enter Lango.
Okema castigated some politicians who are using the cattle raids for political gain much as security is striving to fight the cattle rustlers.
About 13 people who were arrested after being found transporting suspected stolen cattle in a vehicle registration number UBL 398U in Otuke, Okema said the file has been sanctioned by the resident chief state attorney and one Mucoro Moses will be arraigned in court in connection to the case.
Meanwhile, police of Kamdini police station is investigating circumstances under which a bus belonging to Rock Bus company registration number UAU 420V knocked dead a child identified as Opio Christopher in Adaka, Kamdini Sub County.
Okema said the bus driver abandoned the vehicle and fled, but police has launched a search for him.
