Residents of Kabarole district are living in fear over the increased Livestock theft in the district.

The thieves are mainly targeting cattle and goats in some cases.

Godfrey Musumba the Harugongo Sub County Chairperson says that over 20 cows have so far been stolen this month alone.

Musumba suspects the livestock thieves are exporting their loot to the Democratic Republic of Congo via Ntoroko and Bundibugyo districts.

The thieves mainly attack areas of Harugongo, Kicwamba, Kazingo and Hakibale Sub Counties, while others spread to Fort portal north division In Rwenkuba Kyaruhaza Karambi ward north division.

On Tuesday night, the angry residents of Nyantabooma village in Harugongo Sub Country arrested and murdered two suspected cattle thieves before burning their bodies to ashes.

The duo whose identities remain unknown to the locals were arrested with 4 stolen cows from Harugongo sub county in the early hours of the morning.

Jack Magezi Kichuchuli, the Kichwamba sub county chairman said, police have not helped to reduce theft in the district. 

The chairperson accused police of releasing key suspects on livestock theft cases on several occasions, and the released ones have continued to terrorize communities.