AMURU– Security in Amuru district over the weekend arrested three herdsmen and impounded 126 head of cattle in a cane plantation belonging to Horyal Investments Holdings Uganda, the owners of Atiak Sugar Factory Limited [ASFL].
The animals found in Atiak Sub-county were reportedly transported from Kiboga district by one, Marvin Musinguzi who breached a presidential directive on pastoralism in northern Uganda.
Stephen Odong Latek, the Amuru resident district commissioner confirmed the arrest of the three herdsmen, saying they will face charges of breaching a presidential directive and trespassing since they were grazing on land not belonging to them.
“We have arrested three of the suspects on charges of trespassing into Atiak Sugar factory land, where we are investigating them in relation to November 7, 2022, fire outbreak which burnt over 300 acres of sugarcane,” Latek told this reporter.
According to police, the three suspects were discovered on land where a fire had been started. The suspects also face charges of possession of narcotics and arson for allegedly setting the sugar canes on fire.
Horyal Investments Holdings Uganda Limited, which owns the sugar plantation and factory, has asked the government to investigate continued fires on their property.
President Museveni recently banned any cattle keeping and movement of cattle from outside Northern Uganda by the Balalo following public outcry from the community in the sub-region.
According to an updated situational report given by the district authorities, of the 126 head of cattle, 31 have died while seven are in critical condition.
Latek attributed the cattle deaths to poor transportation of animals and breaching transportation guidelines.
Michael Lakony, the Amuru district LCV Chairperson called for more investigations, questioning how someone would transport over 100 cows to Atiak and begin grazing them in the sugar plantation without the knowledge of factory owners.
https://thecooperator.news/over-17000-balalo-illegally-grace-cattle-in-amuru-district/
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