A surge in cattle theft has triggered fear and frustration among residents of Nabirumba Sub-county in Kamuli District, as livestock raiders continue to devastate livelihoods across the villages of Butwale, Bukalu and Buluta.
The thefts, which have escalated in recent months, are threatening the economic survival of a predominantly agricultural community.
Locals say they are losing not only their animals, but also their primary source of income and food security, pushing many households deeper into hardship.
Paul Kyebanakolanga, the Local Council II chairperson of Nabirumba 1, expressed deep concern during a recent interview and appealed to government to urgently enhance security in the area.
“We are in desperate need of more security,” Kyebanakolanga said. “Our people are losing their livelihoods, and we need the government to step in and protect us from these criminals.”
He criticised the current police investigation methods, particularly the reliance on sniffer dogs, which he said are not enough to deter well-organised cattle thieves.
While helpful in certain cases, Kyebanakolanga argued that the dogs often fail to provide conclusive evidence in court, and their tracking ability is limited by time and terrain.
“The police dogs are simply not enough,” he said. “We need more sophisticated and reliable methods of investigation.”
His frustration was shared by Jacob Lwanga, the youth chairperson of Nabirumba, who noted that the threat of theft has discouraged many young people from venturing into livestock farming.
“Our young people are afraid to invest in livestock farming because of the high risk of theft,” Lwanga said. “We need the government to take this issue seriously and provide us with the protection we deserve.”
Neighbouring districts including Kaliro, Buyende and Luuka are reportedly facing similar challenges.
Responding to these concerns, the Police Spokesperson for Busoga North, Michael Kasadha, acknowledged the rising trend of livestock theft across the sub-region.
He said police have stepped up operations to curb the vice.
“We have strengthened detection and apprehension methods to stop livestock theft,” Kasadha said.
“The regular police have been reinforced with personnel from the Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) to boost the fight against cattle theft in Busoga North.”
He also defended the role of the Police Canine Unit, which he said has been instrumental in recent investigations.
Between January and May 2025, police in Busoga North registered 38 cases of cattle theft.
Of these, 28 suspects were apprehended with the help of sniffer dogs, and 24 were charged and remanded.
“The sniffer dogs have helped in tracking, scent detection, apprehension of suspects, locating stolen animals, and gathering evidence,” Kasadha said.
“Dogs can track the scent of stolen animals within 24 hours of the crime, often leading investigators to the animals or suspects.”
Still, many residents and local leaders insist that these efforts fall short. They are calling for more robust policing, including increased patrols, better investigative tools, and improved collaboration between police and the community.
The growing pressure from Nabirumba residents underscores a broader national problem — livestock theft remains a serious threat in rural Uganda, where farming is a cornerstone of the economy.
Police spokesperson Kasadha commended local communities for their vigilance and urged them to remain alert and report any suspicious activity.
“The fight against cattle theft cannot be won by police alone,” he said.
“We appreciate the support of the public and encourage continued cooperation to keep our communities safe.”
As residents of Busoga North rally for stronger protections, their calls highlight the urgent need for improved rural security and a renewed government commitment to safeguarding Uganda’s agricultural backbone.