By Our Reporter
KATAKWI
The LCI chairperson Akisim village and four other individuals have been arrested in connection with cattle theft in Katakwi sub county, Katakwi district.
The five arrested include; LCI chairman Akisim Moses Okojoi, Joseph Ongodia, Moses Ocen all are businessmen and two animal drivers to the markets were arrested on Saturday, 17th February, 2024. Others who are on the run include; Aloysius Olupot aka senior and Aanyu-Olari.
The five and two on the run are residents of Akisim village, Sudan parish, Katakwi Sub County in Katakwi district who have allegedly been collaborating with Karamojong to steal animals in Teso sub region.
The arrest followed rampant theft of animals which prompted the locals to call for voting in Osudan trading centre on the watch of RDC and LCV Katakwi in order to expose the culprits in the society.
According to sources, the voted individuals are have been notorious people in the sub county who were piloting the theft of animals in the district.
“As a community, we are going to continue taking on and voting such people who have brought shame to the community and Katakwi at large by collaborating with Karamonjong and stealing cattle in the region,” said the RDC.
Elders in Osudan parish after the confirmation of thieves announced the beating of individuals according to the bye-laws they came up with. Each of the arrested individual was given 10 strokes.
Elvis Ojula, the chairman LC3 Katakwi Sub County acknowledged the vice and warned those who are connected to such act to stop lest the law will catch up with them.
Ojula added that the sub county leadership, local council one and community have agreed to continue with the operation in order to bring all the culprits to book.
“People of Katakwi will get peace with Karamoja if residents unite with security to reveal individuals who have taken theft as their survival tool in Katakwi” Ojula said.
Furthermore, Geoffrey Omolo, the chairman LCV Katakwi district in the same meeting held at Osudan trading centre asked the community to be vigilant and report anyone connected to cattle theft to any leader or RDC’s office.
Omolo who was harsh during the meeting urged the community to desist from boarding their animals in swampy areas.
However, RDC who doubles as chairman security in the district, Godfrey Katamba thanked the community for being honest during the vetting.
Katamba said although they have managed to arrest five people, there are plans to hold a meeting between Katakwi and Amuria districts in order to reduce theft of animals in the two districts.
“As chairman of security I am going to create another roadblock between Katakwi sub county and Abarilela sub county in Amuria district and soldiers will be deployed,” Katamba said.
Katamba urged the community to desist from such acts because the hand of the state is not short to pick whoever is got in collaboration and theft of animals.
