Stray animals are competing for space with motorists and pedestrians in Kabale municipality because of the failure by the authorities to impound them. The animals include cattle, dogs, goats and Pigs amongst others. In 2010, Kabale Municipality passed a by-law to impound stray animals and fine their owners. The by-law was enforced until mid 2011 while, and abandoned. As a result resident released their animals to start loitering in the town. Andrew Baija, the Kabale Municipal Health Inspector says the animals have become a menace.
He says that the animals have become a common site in the markets, shops and streets in the town. Baija says that apart from destroying people’s property the animals also pose a great health risk to residents. He says that much as the municipality is also responsible for impounding the animals, the divisions have the biggest responsibility to ensure that animals are kept off the streets.
Sentaro Byamugisha, the Kabale Central Division LC 3 chairperson attributes their failure to enforce the by law on a thin staff in the law enforcement department. He says that they are planning to recruit more land enforcement officer to enforcement all the laws. Byamugisha says that the stray animals have become a big challenge as they at times disrupt the traffic flow in the town.
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He says that they have made arrangements with court officers to ensure that they auction impounded animals once their owners fail to reclaim them immediately.
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Alex Dushimimana a businessman along Nyerere Avenue says that several traders suffer losses because the stray the animals eat their merchandise such as Irish potatoes, cabbages and bananas. He advises the municipal authorities to get rid of stray animals if the newly launched Keep Kabale Clean campaign is to succeed.
Stephen Batuta Otunga, the Northern Division Town clerk says there are only two enforcement officers attached to his office, who are over stretched. He the law enforcement officers hardly find time to get rid of the stray animals.
