By Ben Musanje
Government has declared an intensified security crackdown on rampant cattle theft in the Greater Mbarara region following growing reports that organized criminal gangs are stealing livestock, including animals purchased through the Parish Development Model (PDM), threatening household incomes and undermining one of government’s flagship poverty alleviation programmes.
In a press conference at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala on Wednesday, Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda described the escalating theft of cattle as an attack not only on individual farmers but also on government’s broader agenda of wealth creation and economic transformation.
Babalanda said government had received numerous reports indicating that cattle theft had reached alarming levels across the region, leaving many livestock farmers counting heavy losses.
She noted that for many households in Ankole and the wider western Uganda region, cattle are more than livestock—they are family wealth, a source of income, and years of investment.
According to the minister, the continued theft of animals threatens livelihoods, weakens household resilience, and frustrates efforts aimed at lifting communities out of poverty.
She revealed that government investigations had established that some of the stolen animals had been acquired using funds accessed through the Parish Development Model, a programme designed to enable vulnerable households to invest in income-generating enterprises and transition into the money economy.
Babalanda said criminals targeting such livestock are directly sabotaging one of government’s flagship socio-economic transformation initiatives.
She warned that government would not tolerate individuals or organized criminal groups whose activities undermine the country’s economic development agenda.
To address the crisis, the minister directed all Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Resident City Commissioners (RCCs), District Internal Security Officers (DISOs), and district security committees across the Greater Mbarara region to elevate cattle theft to a top security priority.
She instructed security leaders to accord the vice the same urgency given to other organized crimes that threaten national security and economic stability.
The minister also directed the Uganda Police Force to intensify intelligence-led operations against cattle thieves.
She called for increased patrols, stronger investigations, and coordinated efforts aimed at dismantling criminal syndicates believed to be orchestrating the thefts.
According to Babalanda, the criminals have become increasingly organized, requiring an equally coordinated and decisive response from security agencies.
Despite the growing concern, the minister commended the Resident District Commissioner for Mbarara, Nicholas Mugarura, together with the District Police Commander and the district security committee, for progress already made in tackling the vice.
She said operations conducted by the security team had resulted in the arrest of more than 20 suspects believed to belong to organized criminal networks responsible for stealing cattle in the region.
The arrests, she noted, demonstrate that coordinated intelligence and effective collaboration among security agencies can yield positive results in combating livestock theft.
Government investigations have also traced the movement of stolen livestock beyond the Greater Mbarara region.
According to the minister, many of the stolen cattle are sold within Uganda, particularly in the districts of Mitooma and Kasese, while others are smuggled across the western border into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Following these findings, Babalanda directed Resident District Commissioners, district authorities, veterinary officers, police commanders and all security agencies in Mitooma and Kasese to immediately tighten enforcement of livestock movement regulations.
She ordered that no cattle should be transported, traded or sold without proper movement permits and verification of ownership.
The minister further instructed security agencies to strengthen inspections at livestock markets, road checkpoints and major transport corridors to prevent illegally acquired animals from reaching buyers.
She warned that anyone found transporting, purchasing or facilitating the movement of cattle without the required documentation would face thorough investigations and possible prosecution.
Babalanda also reminded police commanders at both district and sub-county levels that government had invested substantial resources in improving policing through the procurement of motorcycles intended to enhance mobility and rapid response.
She urged commanders to fully deploy the motorcycles in protecting farming communities, saying the public expect visible policing, timely responses and proactive operations capable of preventing crime before losses occur.
The minister appealed directly to livestock farmers to strengthen security around their homes and grazing areas.
She encouraged cattle keepers to improve the security of their kraals, properly identify their animals where possible, and promptly report suspicious individuals, vehicles or unusual livestock movements to security agencies.
Babalanda equally called upon Local Council leaders, parish chiefs, Gombolola Internal Security Officers, local security committees and other community leaders to intensify neighborhood vigilance and work closely with police and district security committees.
She emphasized that community intelligence remains one of the most effective tools in identifying and dismantling organized criminal networks.
Addressing the wider public, the minister said security is a shared responsibility and urged citizens to volunteer credible information that could lead to the arrest of cattle thieves.
She observed that many of the criminals do not operate anonymously but are often known within the communities where they live or conduct business.
The minister warned that individuals who harbour, finance, transport or knowingly purchase stolen cattle are equally culpable and will face the full force of the law.
Babalanda assured livestock farmers that government has fully taken note of the growing insecurity and has already launched a coordinated security response aimed at dismantling criminal networks, recovering stolen animals wherever possible and ensuring those responsible are prosecuted.
She further reminded public officers charged with protecting citizens that leadership demands vigilance, accountability and decisive action.
According to the minister, government cannot achieve the objectives of the Parish Development Model, commercial agriculture and household wealth creation if criminals are allowed to rob beneficiaries of productive assets acquired through public investment.
She reaffirmed government’s commitment to protecting lives, property and the investments of Ugandans, saying security agencies would continue receiving the resources necessary to execute their mandate while being held accountable for delivering results.
The latest intervention comes amid growing concern among livestock farmers in western Uganda over rising incidents of cattle theft, with many communities calling for stronger security operations to protect one of the region’s most important economic activities.
This version is written in a professional newspaper style, with a strong lead, clear attribution, logical flow, and enough background and context for a 700+ word hard news story. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
