The 2025, report issued by the Mt. Moroto regional police spokesperson/ASTU, AIP, Mike Longole, shows that the number of stolen heads of cattle in 2025, dropped 2,375 compared 2,728 heads of cattle in 2024, marking a significant drop of 13 per cent.
By Alexander Mackey Okori
The Anti-stock Theft Unit (ASTU) under Mt. Moroto police has recorded a reduction in cattle theft through cattle rustling, a security threat that has for decades plagued the Karamoja Sub-region and the neighbouring districts in Teso, Acholi and Sebei.
According to police, cattle rustling in the regions is now under control following heightened security patrols and Usalama Kwa Wote (Peace for All), a joint UPDF-led disarmament campaign launched in July 2021, to eliminate illegal firearms and stop cattle rustling.
The 2025, report issued by the Mt. Moroto regional police spokesperson/ASTU, AIP, Mike Longole, shows that the number of stolen heads of cattle in 2025, dropped 2,375 compared 2,728 heads of cattle in 2024, marking a significant drop of 13 per cent.
“At least 271 incidents of livestock theft both in Karamoja and the neighbouring districts of Katakwi, Kapelebyong, and Kweni”, the report reads in part.
Longole said that they were able to recover 2,197 heads of cattle within the same period while 178 have not been recovered up-to-date.
“At least goats and sheep, a total of 998 were stolen, but the security operatives managed to recover only 727”, Longole added.
He explained that Karamoja sub-region now experiences isolated cases of animal theft rather than organised raids once disorganized communities within the region and neighbouring districts.
Despite security operatives registering gains in recovering of stolen livestock, four security personnel lost their lives in fire change with the armed raids while 12 others were reportedly injured
Longole attributed the reduction in cattle theft cases to bilateral cooperation between the security operatives, leaders and community members.
He commended member of the community for timely sharing of information regarding cattle theft, which has not only helped in tracking down the warriors, urging them to continue cooperating with the security operatives.
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