Mbarara
Asan Kasingye who is now a local farmer in Bubaare, Kashari South, woke up to the distressing news that one of his neighbor’s cows had been stolen overnight. Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident, as animal theft has become a recurring problem in the area.
Kasingye narrates that despite efforts to pre-empt and track the thefts through meetings with security, LCs, and community leaders, the vice persists. In response, he has now taken matters into his own hands, engaging on three fronts to address the issue.
Firstly, he is calling for security measures to stop the movement of animals during nighttime hours from 6:30 pm to 6:30 am. Secondly, he proposed the branding of animals and the provision of movement letters (okwijurura) to enable security to cross-check numbers and verify origins through communication.
Lastly, he highlighted some patrol officers disturbing admissions that they are always ordered to release trucks carrying animals at night by their seniors in command whenever they suspect theft. Kasingye insisted that this must end, and he has even resorted to sleeping in the kraal to safeguard his own animals which is his retirement venture.
He promises to escalate the matter further and hold responsible officers accountable if the thefts persist without adequate intervention. For local farmers in Bubaare, this issue is a cause for serious concern and highlights the need for increased security measures.
