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Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Muhokya town council in Kasese district has given the final nod of approval and passed an ordinance to enforce animal control and grazing within the town council limits.
The ordinance which was approved by council members unanimously on Tuesday, provides for the control, regulation, registration and licensing of the keeping and movement of livestock in the town centre and surrounding peri-urban places.
The council also approved a fine of 10,000 shillings and 5,000 shillings for each cow and goat or sheep respectively found grazing or marauding within the town centre, market places, dumping grounds, town council premises or any open ground.
This ordinance will come into force within 30-days after a community sensitization campaign by the town clerk.
Muhokya is one of the oldest town centres in Kasese that is predominantly occupied by cattle keepers and farmers.
Ernest Masereka, the town council speaker told URN that they have been forced to come up with more stringent restrictions on animal rearing and movements within the town council to create order and also safeguard the town council from litigations in case of accidents caused by wandering animals.
He added that the council has asked the town clerk to urgently develop a schedule for community sensitization to create awareness.
The town council chairperson, Robert Guma says the by-law will go a long way to safeguard farmers who have often lost their crops to stary domestic animals.
He also said that the listed fines will contribute to local revenue collections.
Peter Orucha, the chairperson of the production committee who has been at the forefront of this by-law’s enactment said they were pushing for it to regulate the rearing and movement of livestock as a step in nurturing their newly created town councils.
He added that persuasion options to the grazing community to stop grazing their animals from public places have failed.
Erias Onyango, the councilor representing Kisenyi ward, said the new ordinance comes at a time when authorities are grappling with the high numbers of animals that are freely being grazed along road reserves and marketplaces.
He added that due to the absence of such a law, people have acted in a mob to harm or kill animals that enter their gardens, which has escalated conflicts.
Hilda Kemigabo, one of many area residents in Muhokya town who are frustrated by the insatiable appetites of domestic animals, says they can no longer grow any foods around their homes due to the animals.
She welcomes the by-law as a huge relief to the community.
The Animals Straying Act prohibits owners from allowing cattle to roam in urban and suburban areas.
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