Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni has advised Karamojong youths to venture into alternative development activities and shun cattle rustling which he said puts their lives at a high risk.
Museveni made the remarks during a meeting with local leaders in Moroto on Sunday, on his tour of the Eastern and North-Eastern regions of Uganda to boost security in those areas that in the recent past have experienced cattle rustling and ambushes.
“This idea that it is a way of life (culture) for young people to be involved in cattle rustling is risky for their lives as it pits them against state machinery where they have no chance and indeed many of them have died in these skirmishes.” President Museveni said.
As part of the ongoing exercise appraising the security situation in areas affected by the criminality of cattle rustling, Museveni said his government is also telling the leaders to interest wanainchi in alternative activities that will guarantee prosperity.
The president flagged off a goat-rearing project in Moroto, after leading the Lango and Acholi regional leaders on a tour of the Baralegi model farm at the State Lodge where government is growing coffee, bananas, cassava, pineapple, mangoes, oranges, among others.
According to the statement from the State House, the President started on Wednesday by meeting security organs including; the UPDF, Police, Resident District Commissioners, Internal Security Organisation officers, and Uganda Wildlife Authority officials at the State Lodge in Kapchorwa.
The president’s tour comes after a resurgence of skirmishes late last year involving cattle rustlers which prompted the army to intervene. Since then, many suspected cattle rustlers have been killed and guns recovered.
President Museveni commended security forces in the region for their concept of a reaction force and intelligence-led operations to curb cattle rustling including profiling suspects.
