By KT Reporter
Cattle traders in the Sebei have formed a regional association aimed at curbing rampant livestock theft and enhancing the professionalism of the cattle trade.
Kapchorwa Cattle Traders Association (KCTA) brings together traders from the districts of Kapchorwa, Kween, and Bukwo, and is expected to streamline livestock trade, improve security, and empower traders to operate within a lawful and organized framework.
The association was o launched on Thursday October 2, 2025, in Kapchorwa Municipality. The launch attracted local leaders, veterinary officers, and representatives from the security agencies.
The Chairperson of the association, Enos Chekwurui said the initiative seeks to eliminate illegal practices and ensure that all traders operate with valid licenses.
“We have agreed that every member will now operate with a valid license. This will help us trade lawfully and peacefully without being interrupted by perpetrators who often interfere with our business,” Chekwurui said.
He noted that genuine traders have faced harassment in the past due to lack of documentation. He urged local governments, veterinary departments, and security agencies to support the association in its work.
The Secretary of KCTA, Denis Kibet, said the absence of an organized body for cattle traders in the region has long posed serious risks both to business and personal security.
“Previously, we didn’t have a structure to guide us or verify the origin of cattle. This has made it easy for thieves to operate and hard for genuine traders to prove ownership,” Kibet said.
He revealed that the association plans to collaborate with local authorities to develop a livestock tracking and verification system to prevent the sale of stolen animals. The initiative has received backing from local leaders and technical officers, who described it as timely and much-needed in a region that has faced growing challenges related to cattle theft.
Sande Cherop, the District Veterinary Officer of Kapchorwa, commended the traders for organizing themselves and pledged technical support from his office.
“As the veterinary department, we are ready to work with the association to ensure proper animal movement and health certification, which is key in promoting safe and lawful livestock trade,” Cherop said.
Kapchorwa is one of the busiest livestock trading zones in the Sebei sub-region, with weekly markets that attract buyers and sellers from neighboring districts and across the border from Kenya. However, the area has also seen increasing cases of cattle theft and unregulated cross-border movement of livestock.
The formation of KCTA is seen as a strategic move to combat these challenges by providing a centralized system for verification, licensing, and member accountability.
The association has outlined several immediate action points, including rolling out community sensitization campaigns on legal livestock trade, creating a comprehensive database of all licensed cattle traders and Establishing bylaws to govern member conduct and business practices.
Traders believe that the success of the association will not only help reduce theft but also improve market confidence and attract more investment in the livestock sector in Sebei.
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