Cattle raids force Otuke residents to flee

Otuke, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Residents of Otuke District are fleeing their homes, following raids by suspected Karamojong warriors.

Since the beginning of the year, an estimated 400 heads of cattle have been stolen and several members of the community severely wounded by the suspected rustlers in Otuke and Alebtong District.

The most affected sub counties are Olilim, Ogor, and Ogwete bordering Abim district and Adwir sub county in Alebtong bordering Kapelebyong district.

On Wednesday night, 12 animals were stolen from Acan-pii Parish in Ogwete sub country.

Peter Omara, the LCI Chairperson of Acan- pii II village in Acan-Pii parish said the raiders break into the kraals and houses to steal the cattle.

Richard Odongo, a resident of Agwe Parish in Olilim sub county says that he fled with his cattle to Gulgoi in Lira District.

Agustino Kere, a resident of Got-ojwang Parish in Olilim sub county who first lost his 18 cattle to Karamojong raiders in 1986 has decided to take his animals to Kwania district for safety.

He wants government to find a permanent solution to the cattle raids. He says that their families are at risk of famine because there is no time for tilting the land during these raids.

Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson said security is doing everything to curb the raids.

However, Okema accused some community members of stealing the animals and then blame Karamojong warriors.

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