By Our Reporter 

Soroti City - Soroti City residents are growing increasingly frustrated as stray animals continue to roam freely through the streets, causing traffic disruptions, threatening public safety, and aggravating food insecurity in the area.

On Sunday, a group of cattle near Hash Petrol Station triggered a major traffic jam, leaving vehicles and pedestrians stranded for more than 10 minutes. The incident has reignited public outcry over the growing menace of unattended livestock in the city center.

Simon Okello, a resident of Kengere Ward, voiced his frustration, blaming negligent animal owners for failing to control their animals, which often roam without supervision and disrupt daily life.

“These animals are everywhere—along roads, near markets, and even in residential areas. It’s like no one is responsible for them,” Okello said. “They eat from people’s gardens, cause accidents, and make the city look untidy.”

Road users, including taxi and bus operators, truck drivers, and boda-boda riders, have echoed similar concerns, calling on Soroti City authorities to urgently enact and enforce bylaws that prohibit free-roaming animals within urban boundaries.

Although Soroti City Council has previously attempted to implement regulations to curb the problem, enforcement has remained weak, allowing the issue to persist.

Juliet Agonyo, the Soroti City Council Speaker, expressed her disappointment in residents who continue to allow their livestock to wander through the streets unchecked.

“This is a shared responsibility. Residents must understand that the city is not a grazing field,” Agonyo said. “We are now taking a firm stand. Stricter enforcement is coming, and owners who neglect their animals will face arrest and penalties.”

She added that plans are underway to increase public sensitization and improve implementation of city regulations aimed at restoring order, improving sanitation, and ensuring safety for all residents.

As Soroti continues to grow and urbanize, the challenge of managing stray animals remains a pressing issue—one that city authorities say they are determined to tackle with immediate action.