By Diana N. Kintu
Minister for the Presidency Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda addressing the media House,
The Government has stepped up efforts to combat rising cattle theft in Greater Mbarara following an increase in livestock theft that has threatened farmers’ livelihoods and undermined wealth creation programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Declaring cattle theft a top security priority, Minister for the Presidency Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda said the vice has become more than ordinary criminality, warning that it is frustrating government efforts to improve household incomes and transform communities through agriculture.
“Livestock is the backbone of the economy of Ankole and much of western Uganda. Their theft is not merely a criminal offence against individual farmers, but a sabotage of Government’s socio-economic transformation programmes,” she said while delivering a ministerial statement on Wednesday.
The Minister revealed that some of the stolen animals had been acquired through the Parish Development Model, where government has supported vulnerable households to invest in income-generating activities.
“When criminals steal such livestock, they frustrate hardworking Ugandans striving to improve their lives,” she added.
Government declares wars cattle theft in Uganda
To curb the growing thefts, the Government has directed Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Resident City Commissioners (RCCs), District Internal Security Officers (DISOs), and district security committees across Greater Mbarara to intensify surveillance and treat livestock theft with the same urgency accorded to other forms of organised crime.
The Uganda Police Force has also been tasked to strengthen intelligence-led operations, increase patrols, improve investigations, and dismantle criminal networks behind the thefts.
Hon. Babalanda commended the Mbarara District Security Committee for its coordinated response, revealing that more than 20 suspects have already been arrested.
“This demonstrates that where security agencies remain coordinated, criminals can be defeated,” she said.
Government investigations indicate that while some stolen cattle are sold within Uganda, particularly in Mitooma and Kasese districts, others are smuggled across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Minister directed authorities in the affected districts to tighten enforcement of livestock movement regulations, insisting that no animal should be transported without proper movement permits and proof of ownership.
She also appealed to livestock farmers to strengthen security at their farms by improving kraals, properly identifying their animals, and promptly reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.
“Community intelligence remains one of our strongest weapons against organised crime,” Hon. Babalanda said, urging Local Council leaders, Parish Chiefs, GISO officers, and community security committees to work closely with police to expose criminal networks.
She warned that anyone found harbouring, transporting, financing, or knowingly purchasing stolen cattle would face prosecution under the law.
The renewed security operations are expected to protect farmers’ investments, restore confidence in government wealth creation programmes, and strengthen livestock production across Greater Mbarara, where cattle farming remains a major source of household income and regional economic growth.