Livestock farmers in the Bunyoro sub-region have complained of a lack of competitive markets for their livestock resulting in lower prices.
The affected farmers from the districts of Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Hoima, Kikuube and Kagadi say that the prices of animals especially cows have fallen which could push them into prolonged poverty.
They argue that in the past during the festive season, they would receive many buyers from different parts of the country who flock to the region to buy cows but it is not the case this time.
Sam Ntambara, a farmer in Buseruka Sub County says a cow that initially cost 1.5 Million Shillings is now sold at 800,000- 700,000 Shillings respectively.
Stephen Kiviri, a farmer in Kiryandongo expressed dissatisfaction at the income they get from cattle sales as compared to how much they invest rearing the animals.
Jackson Kasumba, a farmer in Kikuube says the situation has compelled some few buyers who are accessing the farmers to impose prices on them adding that they are compelled to accept because of poverty.
Muzamil Kabanda, a farmer in Buliisa has challenged the government to help them set standard prices for livestock animals. He adds that even when the cattle prices have dropped, buyers are not readily available.
Despite the low livestock prices, meat prices have remained high with a kilogram being sold at shillings 14,000 in the entire Bunyoro sub-region.
John Balikenda, a butcher in Hoima city says the prices have fallen because most of the cattle buyers were hit-hard by the COVID-19 pandemic adding that most of them do not have enough money to transact cattle business. Christopher Kakumba, a cattle dealer in Buliisa says this time the cattle business is down since most of them do not have money.
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