The Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, has directed Resident District Commissioners and district security agencies to intensify operations against rising cases of cattle theft in the Greater Mbarara region, describing the vice as a serious threat to livelihoods and government wealth creation programmes.
Speaking on Wednesday evening at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Babalanda said government has received numerous reports indicating that cattle theft has reached alarming levels across the region, with many livestock farmers losing animals that are central to their household incomes.
She noted that livestock remains the backbone of the economy in Ankole and much of western Uganda, adding that cattle represent years of investment, family wealth and economic security for many households.
“Cattle theft is not merely a criminal offence against individual farmers. It is a direct attack on government’s wealth creation agenda and our national mission of lifting Ugandans out of poverty,” she said.
Babalanda revealed that some of the stolen cattle had been acquired through funds accessed under the Parish Development Model (PDM), a government programme aimed at supporting vulnerable households to build sustainable incomes.
She said criminals targeting such livestock were undermining a key government socio-economic transformation initiative and frustrating efforts by citizens working to improve their livelihoods.
As the minister responsible for coordinating RDCs, Babalanda directed all RDCs, RCCs, DISOs and district security committees in Greater Mbarara to treat cattle theft as a top security priority, requiring urgent and coordinated intervention.
She said the crime should be handled with the same urgency as other organised criminal activities that threaten national stability and economic development.
Babalanda also instructed the Uganda Police Force to intensify intelligence-led operations, increase patrols, strengthen investigations and dismantle organised criminal networks behind the thefts.
“The criminals involved are increasingly organised, and our response must be even more organised, coordinated and decisive,” she said.
She commended the Resident District Commissioner for Mbarara, Nicholas Nuwagira, together with the District Police Commander and the district security team for progress made in fighting the crime, noting that more than 20 suspects had been arrested in recent operations.
According to government findings cited by the minister, many stolen cattle are sold within Uganda, particularly in Mitooma and Kasese districts, while others are smuggled across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Babalanda directed that no animal should be transported or traded without proper movement permits and verified proof of ownership.
She also ordered heightened inspections at livestock markets, checkpoints and transport corridors, warning that anyone found moving or trading cattle without documentation should be investigated.
The minister further reminded police commanders in the region to fully utilise motorcycles procured by government to enhance mobility, surveillance and rapid response.
She said the equipment should support visible policing and proactive crime prevention in farming communities.
Babalanda urged cattle keepers to strengthen vigilance by securing kraals, identifying their animals where possible, and reporting suspicious movements of people, vehicles or livestock to authorities.
She reaffirmed government commitment to protecting property and supporting efforts to eliminate cattle theft in Greater Mbarara.
