All cattle traders in Hoima ought to take photographs alongside the animals to be slaughtered as they transact business in the public exchange, directs the Hoima Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mr Michael Kyakashari.
The RDC says the move is geared towards providing proof of evidence when the transaction is suspected to have involved some criminality in the district.
He adds that rising cases of cattle theft are a factor that has fanned security intervention as the vice is impacting negatively on the herders at this time when the cost of living crisis brings soaring financial crunch in Uganda revealing that information has it that scores of cows are stolen every single day in Buseruka, Kabaale and Greater Kigorobya sub-counties which are known cattle areas in Hoima district.
In the directive, guidelines and measures to curb cattle theft in the district, Mr Kyakashari says movement of cattle from Kigorobya has in the meantime been banned until the herders and the district security team harmonise and reach consensual decision making on the lift.
Animal slaughtering has been strictly scheduled at exactly 7am to enable close public supervision as everybody will be in position of witnessing the animal being slaughtered besides slaughtering animals from gazetted slaughter houses.
The RDC discloses that security in the district has also prohibited transporting cows in vehicles as criminals use them to convey stolen hornless cattle after it emerged that an average 20 cows are stolen in the district every day.
Audio: Kyakashari on directive (English)
Mr Kyakashari says more than 10 people suspected to be cattle thieves have since June this year so far been apprehended as security officials continue hunting other culprits.
He urges community members to be vigilant and report to the authorities any suspected cattle thieves for legal action.
Audio: Kyakashari on suspects (English)
