Rukungiri Security speaks tough, No bond, bail for cattle theft Suspects.

Rukungiri: The Rukungiri district security team has resolved not to issue police bonds or court bail to cattle theft suspects.

This decision was revealed by the Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Steven Nsubuga Bewayo who was speaking to our reporter at the district headquarters on Monday October 7, 2024.

Nsubuga said during a recent district security meeting, the District Police Commander SSP Apollo Kyangungu proposed a policy to deny police bonds to anyone arrested on cattle theft allegations.

The idea was fully endorsed, and the Chief Magistrate was informed that suspects charged with stealing cattle would be denied court bail either.

Nsubuga also highlighted a challenge where witnesses fail to attend court proceedings after their stolen cattle are recovered, leading to the release of the suspects. He urged the public to question the source of meat sold by the roadside vendors as a measure to combat cattle theft.

Earlier, the officer in charge of Buyanja Police post Benard Muzeyi stressed the importance of cooperation between local leaders to tackle the issue of cattle theft.

He urged LC1 chairpersons to issue movement permits for cattle being transferred from one parish to another. Muzeyi also noted that sub-county veterinary officers should issue permits for cattle buyers and sellers moving animals between sub-counties, while district veterinary officers should handle permits for inter-district cattle movement.

He explained that these permits should prohibit cattle movement beyond 6:00PM to prevent illegal transportation by thieves.

The permits should also include detailed descriptions of the animals such as color and sex as well as the names, addresses, and phone numbers of both the buyer and seller to ensure secure cattle movement.