Rwakitura, Uganda – In a decisive move to combat rising theft in rural areas, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced a ban on granting police bonds to individuals accused of stealing livestock and other property. During his end-of-year address delivered from his country home, Museveni expressed concern over the “rampant stealing of cattle, goats, etc.,” and criticized the leniency of police and judicial systems that allow such criminals to evade accountability through bonds and bail.
He stated, “I have raised the issue of bails with His Lordship the Chief Justice, and I have banned the issue of Police bonds.” Museveni emphasized that any police personnel who grant bonds to accused thieves when cases are ready for trial will be held fully accountable.
The President’s remarks come in the wake of successful military interventions in regions like Karamoja, where he noted that a significant number of criminals had been effectively dealt with through military courts. He urged for a firm legal approach to handling village thefts, which he believes is crucial for community safety and development.
As part of his address, Museveni also acknowledged the recent rise in coffee prices due to drought conditions affecting other coffee-producing nations, reinforcing the government’s agricultural strategies aimed at improving local economies.