Tension in Acholi, Lango Over Rising Cattle Raids

Residents of Lango and Acholi sub-regions in Northern Uganda have expressed concern over the increasing number of cattle raids staged by Karimojong and South Sudan rustlers.

Six livestock farmers in Lacwa East, Leladwong and Locum villages in Paimol Sub County in Agago District on Friday sustained severe injuries when they were shot using bows and arrows in a foiled cattle raid by Karamojong rustlers.

Last Monday, a resident of Pakinyi village in Rudi village, Agoro Sub County identified as a one Willy Oyet was severely beaten and left for dead by suspected cattle thieves from South Sudan.

Livestock farming in districts of Lamwo, Kitgum, Pader and Agago has been severely hindered by cattle rustling.

Rustling is at its worst in Lamwo, which borders South Sudan to the north, carried out by suspected armed South Sudanese rustlers that have forced many farmers to abandon livestock farming.

Statistics obtained from Lamwo District indicate that a total of 430 goats and more than 200 heads of cattle have so far been stolen by suspected South Sudan rustlers since February last year.

Agoro sub-county LC3 chairperson in Lamwo District, Denis Onyon, says that the deployment of UPDF soldiers has not helped much due to the porous borders.

Brig. Michael Kabango, the fifth Infantry Division Commander acknowledges the problem but maintains that the force is working on different measures to mitigate the problem.

Kabango says that more 200 soldiers were last week deployed in Agago and Lamwo districts to boost security.