Simpson M
Residents of Nyampikye cell in the central ward of Kebisoni Town Council, Rukungiri District, are expressing deep concern over a surge in livestock and farm produce theft in their community.
According to distressed residents, the thieves operate in groups of 3 to 6 individuals, typically after midnight. Moses Sunday, one of the victims, narrated his experience, stating that he discovered his pig missing at around 1 am. Despite leaving the pig pen secure before going to bed, he awoke to find it empty. Upon searching, he found that the pig had been slaughtered and taken away on a boda boda (motorcycle taxi). Fortunately, fellow boda boda riders on Kebisoni main road apprehended the thieves.
On the same night, more than 15 hens were stolen from another home. In a separate incident a few days earlier, in a neighboring area, thieves stole two pigs and silenced their distress cries by cutting their necks.
The residents are urging the regional security apparatus to act swiftly and apprehend the culprits, expressing fear that the thieves may escalate to terrorizing the community once they exhaust their targets of livestock and farm produce.
Abon Akankwasa, the councilor representing central ward in Kebisoni Town Council, highlighted that thieves have infiltrated the area. He warned that if the security situation continues to be overlooked despite calls from the community, the thieves may escalate to harming people in the area.
Residents have identified some of the thieves, and they are urging the police to resume night patrols. Abon emphasized the need for collaborative efforts by inter-district security teams to address the rising insecurity in the area. He reported that three suspects, namely Ivan from Nyamambo B, Peter (known as Akakyeremere) from Nyamambo B, and Kazaana from Nyamunuuka, have been arrested and taken to Kebisoni Police Station.
