President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed for a tougher action against the prevailing security situation in Eastern region of the country.
He made the directive on Thursday during the meeting with Teso, Bugisu and Sebei regional leaders held at Kapchorwa state lodge.
“I have had a very good discussion with the political, security and religious leaders of Bugisu, Teso and Sebei sub-regions on the prevailing security situation in the region,” President said.
In his directive, President Museveni ordered security commanders and local leaders to intensify operations against cattle rustling in a bid to bring the practice to an end.
According to President, cattle rustling will soon come to an end with the current deployment within the region.
“I am glad that we are all aware of the fact that what we are dealing with is a resurgence of a problem that we have neutralized before and that we are on the right track to handling it once again,” President Museveni said.
President also noted the need to engage and talk to witchdoctors within the region who are believed to often blesses the suspected raiders before going for their illegal operations to stop the practice.
During the same meeting, Brig. Joseph Balikudembe said they have so far recovered over 89 firearms from the rustlers within the past three weeks following the launch of cordon and search operations in Karamoja.
He adds that just on Wednesday this week, over 800 suspected cattle rustlers were arrested from Napak district and currently undergoing scrutiny before they can be arranged in court.
Brig Balikudembe attributed the delay to handover recovered animals on the delay by the local leaders to scrutinize its owners.
President Museveni further urged the leaders to mobilize local people to engagement in commercial productions in a bid to combat household poverty.
He also called upon the leaders to embrace zero livestock grazing in the region.
On the current border point disputes within Sebei region, President directed Prime Minister Robina Nabanja to resolve the crisis soon.
President Museveni is expected to pitch camp in Karamoja region to oversee the current security situation.
