Cattle keepers in Namisindwa district are living in fear following the increasing theft of their cattle. Animals are reportedly being sold to neighboring Kenya with the thieves taking advantage of the porous borders. Fred Maina one of the victims and a district Councilor for Bututu Sub County told NBS that residents spend sleepless nights in fear of losing their animals. “So we are calling upon the security to help the local people in Namisindwa.” Robert Matemo the RDC Namisindwa attributed the problem to lack of capacity by Police to effectively patrol the borders which have led to the general increase in this trade. “In a number of a series of meetings, we agreed to seek guidance and to seek permission from the relevant authority to bring back the UPDF Detach that was initially at the border.”

Security operatives have been grappling with the increased cases of human trafficking and smuggling wheat, cooking oil and cigars among others as the majorly smuggled items. “Our intelligence according to a few suspects who have been arrested and two were produced to Court in Manafwa, the line is too long, and the planners originate from Kampala. Our intelligence is still establishing the exact planning points and the exact routes. And also we are trying to establish who these agents in Namisindwa are?” Locals are now working jointly with the security operatives to curb the vice. “Kenya Revenue Authority has been brought on board, agents of Kenya security officers the army and Police at the border, we have discussed a lot.” Security at Rwakhakha border was left in the hands of the Police following the recent withdraw of the UPDF Detach which acted as a backup as Police officers concentrated on internal operations.