Written By | Jovita Hasto
OCs from Ibanda district attending a security meeting [Photos: Jovita Hasto]
Search
Ibanda
Authorities in Ibanda district are facing renewed pressure to address rising cases of animal theft, with security officials now calling for intelligence-led operations to curb the trend.
Recent reports indicate a worrying increase in livestock theft, with criminals employing new tactics to steal cattle and sell them in far-flung neighbouring districts. The affected areas include Bisheshe, Kagongo and Bufunda Divisions, where animals are either slaughtered on farms with meat transported in milk cans, or moved at night to Kazo, Kasese, Rubirizi and Mbarara City.
Addressing a security meeting aimed at restoring public order, Assistant Inspector General of Police Ubaldo Bamunoba expressed concern that crime continues to rise despite the presence of security personnel from the district level to local council leaders.
"It is absurd that a high rate of crime is being detected in Ibanda yet there are security personnel from the district commissioner to local council leaders," Mr Bamunoba said.
He noted that while new methods of stealing animals and agricultural products are known, cases continue to be reported with investigations proving futile—even when complainants have evidence.
Mr Bamunoba emphasised the need for DISOs and the District Police Commander to rely on intelligence information to ensure cases are handled effectively through the judiciary until offenders receive deserved punishment.
Bamunoba expressed concern that crime continues to rise despite the presence of security personnel from the district level to local council leaders
"There should be proper coordination between the office of DPP, police, the RDC and district chairperson so that when suspects are arrested they are handled. We have seen incidents where suspects get political coverage because a politician doesn't want to lose support and this has failed investigations," he said.
"We want to see police and DPP cooperating in investigations so that when files are submitted and sanctions given, suspects are charged accordingly. Otherwise, we shall not move on smoothly when leaders themselves keep protecting criminals."
Mr Bamunoba stated that engagement with OCs and district leaders aims to find resolutions to end the surge in crime, particularly animal theft, which he said is contributing to poverty among residents and the nation at large.
"We have agreed that political leaders should have the will to share information and partner with security so that suspects are identified. We shall be able to stamp them out and act accordingly. People continue to lose their animals and we are heading to being a middle-income state. If this continues, families shall not be sustained, thus contributing to poverty," he stated.
He urged the security fraternity in Ibanda to work in unity and end disagreements between local leaders and security personnel to ensure public order.
"I have met with the entire district security team and district leaders and we have resolved that the problem generally is that some suspects have been arrested and others charged but something has to be done. We have agreed that if there is no teamwork between LC3 leaders and police, residents continue to suffer. Security and border stops should be erected such that animal theft is curbed down."
New trends in crime
The district chairperson, Mr Happy Herbert Mayanja, highlighted emerging trends in crime, revealing that thieves have resorted to producing fake stamps and animal moving permits.
"We have a new wave of cattle thieves who have reached the extent of making their own stamps and have started producing animal moving permits. All these cases have been reported but there should be a concerted effort from LC1 to LC5 and police in collaboration with the community to make sure that such crime is controlled," he said.
Mr Mayanja added that there is need for reform among security operators and urged immediate response for intelligence to work with prosecutors to ensure lawbreakers are punished.
"We are not generally okay and we have areas we have to fix to make this a nice district. The concerned offices should look into this because people are arrested, evidence presented and the suspect admits but later on they don't get charged. We don't know why, so it's the office of the DPC or Judiciary to address this so that suspects once proven guilty get charged," added Mr Mayanja.
Call for sensitisation
Mr Joel Kakuru, the Ibanda district resident state attorney, called for sensitisation among locals who report cases. He noted that most complainants do not follow up cases to court, a factor that has contributed to congestion in Nyabuhikye and Kiburara government prisons.
"Let's do mass sensitisation in communities, especially regarding how cases go to court, the purpose of someone being in court and making reconciliations. People in Ibanda have a different perception that as long as someone goes to court or prison, they are satisfied because a suspect has been remanded," he said.
He warned that if security fails to provide required investigative information about incidents, crime will not reduce but rather increase—given that convicts with minor issues, once they interact with those who committed serious offences, acquire new tactics which they use upon release.
"We need to do engagement with investigators and interact with them to show you issues we face and how to make files better. If this is not done, remandees are going to interact with murderers and those with aggravated cases where they get tricks, and this is also increasing the crime rate."
Torch Media Africa
