Notorious Rustlers raid Gen Gutti farm again, Steal 40 cows

SOMALIA, Mogadishu: In a handout photograph released by the African Union-United Nations Information Support Team 02 May, new African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) force commander Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti speaks during a handover ceremony which saw him assume command of the 11,400-strong AU force from his predecessor Maj. Gen Fred Mugisha. Gutti takes over the force commanded by Mugisha since early August 2011, during which time sustained efforts by AMISOM troops supporting Transitional Federal Governemnt (TFG) forces pushed the Al Qaeda-aligned extremist group Al Shabaab out of the country's capital city for the first time in 5 years. AU-UN IST PHOTO / STUART PRICE.

Gen. Andrew Gutti

Napak | RedPepper Digital – Rustlers have for the third time raided the farm of the General Court Martial chairman, Lt Gen Andrew Gutti in Napak district and made off with 40 heads of cattle. 

The rustlers stormed the farm in Lorengechora sub-county on Tuesday night, which has left everyone wondering about their courage. 

Two months ago, the rustlers raided the general’s farm and made off with 130 cows but they were recovered by the army. 

In January, the warriors torched Gutti’s orange garden and broke into his home where they attempted to steal a tractor.  Speaking about the Tuesday evening raid, Gutti’s relative, Jacob Yeno, said the rustlers were many and armed with guns.

“They came at around 8 pm armed with guns and attacked us, by the time the army came, they had moved with cows,” he said. 

He, however, says that they have traced the footmarks of the cattle to Nabilatuk district.

Kelementina Nakiru, a neighbour to Gutti’s farm, says that the raiders are now well connected with cattle traders, adding that after raiding animals they load them onto trucks. 

“This is now organized crime and I don’t know what the government is going to do about this, we are tired, we have lost many animals,” she said. 

Capt Edrin Mawanda, the UPDF 3rd Division spokesperson confirmed the raid on Gutti’s farm. 

“Yes, it’s true the Gen. farm was raided and the warriors took 40 cows, which our soldiers are following them up,” he said.

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