‘Mr President, You Are a Cattle Farmer Like Us’ — Muduuma Residents Appeal to Museveni Over Cattle Theft

Residents of Muduuma Sub-county in Mpigi District have appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene in rising cattle theft, saying the vice has devastated their livelihoods and forced many families out of livestock farming.

Residents of Muduuma Sub-county in Mpigi District have appealed to President Museveni to intervene in escalating livestock theft, saying the vice has pushed many families out of cattle farming, their main source of livelihood.

The residents say cattle theft has become rampant over the past four years, with limited action taken against suspected criminals despite repeated reports to security agencies.

According to the locals, livestock farming and crop production are the backbone of Muduuma’s economy. Besides providing milk for household consumption and sale, cattle are a major source of income used to pay school fees and support families.

Farmers also rely on animal manure to improve crop production.

However, residents say cattle thieves have wiped out hundreds of animals, leaving many households struggling to survive.

Alex Kyaterekera, one of the affected farmers, said residents now spend nights guarding their animals, but thieves have changed tactics and started stealing cattle during the day.

“We have spent almost two years sleeping outside while guarding our cattle. The thieves now target them during the day when people are busy. In July alone, more than 100 cattle were stolen from this area,” he said.

Residents have accused some suspected cattle thieves of working with local security officers, claiming the alleged collusion has frustrated efforts to bring the culprits to justice.

Nalongo Nansubuga, another victim, said she lost all her 10 cattle in a single month and narrowly survived an attack during one of the incidents.

“The thieves attacked us with guns. They hit my husband on the head before taking all our cattle. I know some of them, but when we reported the matter, police demanded evidence that we could not provide,” she said.

Kyaterekera also alleged that thieves destroyed his CCTV cameras before stealing three of his cattle. He said police later deployed a sniffer dog that led officers to one suspect, but the suspect was released after two days after authorities reportedly questioned the reliability of the evidence.

Residents said some thieves have become so confident that they leave behind young calves together with handwritten notes warning owners to raise them well because they will return for them once they mature.

Many families say the theft has pushed them into debt, with some of the stolen animals having been purchased through funds obtained under the Parish Development Model (PDM). Others said they can no longer afford school fees after losing their livestock.

“We no longer know what to do. We depended on cattle to educate our children, but now everything is gone. Our children have been sent home because we cannot pay school fees,” residents said.

Meanwhile, two suspects identified as Abdul Ssekazi, 33, and Joseph Ssemakula, 40, have appeared before Muduuma Grade One Magistrate Imran Kintu on charges related to cattle theft.

The suspects denied the charges. The court declined to grant them bail and remanded them until August 20, when they are expected to return for further hearing.

After the court session, residents renewed their appeal to President Museveni, saying that as a livestock farmer himself, he understands the challenges faced by cattle keepers.

They urged the President to strengthen security in the area and ensure that those behind the theft are arrested and prosecuted.

“Mr President, you are a livestock farmer and you understand the pain of raising cattle. We heard you direct that cattle and coffee thieves should not easily get bail. We ask you to help us because if these suspects are released, they will return to steal the few animals we have left,” the residents said.

Residents say Muduuma has become one of the areas hardest hit by livestock theft, with many households losing nearly all their cattle.

They add that thieves no longer spare other domestic animals, with cattle, goats and pigs being stolen regardless of the time of day or night.