The Kuku community of Kajo-Keji County have recovered dozens of cattle that had wandered into a disputed area of Uganda's neighboring Moyo District and been seized for allegedly destroying crops.

County Speaker Wolyan Patrick said that the Madi community of neighboring Moyo District took a group of 61 cattle when they came onto their cassava farm in Wano area. Madi farmers then drove the cattle to Moyo, where they were kept at the Moyo District Farm Institute (DFI).

Kajo-Keji police followed up on the case and were initially able to secure the return of 44 of the cattle, but Madi farmers kept 17 cows demanding a payment of 3.6 million Ugandan shilling for alleged damages to their crops.

The Kuku community declined on the basis that the destruction was negligible.

Upon government intervention, security forces ensured that the cattle were recovered. At the same time, it was agreed that no activity by either the Kuku or the Madi take place in the contested areas.

The county speaker called on cattle owners to control their animals. For his part, Resident District Commissioner of Moyo John Abingwa appreciated the joint security forces for containing the situation along the border.

He also thank the farmers and the cattle owners for the peaceful agreement reached, saying it was done in a good spirit. The community of Moyo has requested the community of Kajo-Keji to have a dialogue for peaceful co-existence.

Map: Moyo District of Uganda