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Kiruhura district banned the movement, sale and slaughtering of cattle following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease
Kiruhura, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The police in Kiruhura has arrested 12 people for allegedly flouting the Foot and Mouth disease quarantine. They were arrested on Thursday night at Ahakageti village in Sanga while slaughtering cattle.
Last month, Kiruhura district banned the movement, sale and slaughtering of cattle following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Other districts under partial quarantine are Mbarara, Isingiro, Sheema, Ibanda, Kazo, and Bushenyi.
The Kiruhura District Police Commander Musa Tibakirana says they had received information from local leaders that some traders were transporting livestock at night. He explains that the security team launched an operation that led to the arrest of the twelve suspects.
According to Tibakirana, traders are conniving with unscrupulous people to steal people’s animals at night.
Tibakirana says the twelve suspects were found with meat suspected to be of stolen animals.
He concealed the identities of the suspects to avoid jeopardizing investigations.
James Muhwezi and Peter Rwekikomi, some of the affected farmers say they have always reported cattle theft to police but nothing has been.
They now want the government to increase police manpower to carry out regular operations against the fight of livestock theft that has increased in the area.
Tibakirana says the twelve will be charged with two counts of theft of animals and violating measures against foot and mouth disease.
The incident happens days after six people were arrested in Kazo and Kiruhura districts selling fake anti foot and mouth disease vaccine.
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