The cattle shortage has increased beef prices from Shs12,000 to Shs16,000 per kilogram and goat meat prices from Shs16,000 to Shs20,000. Many areas including Mbale, Soroti, Tororo, Budaka, Butaleja, Namutumba were affected and household budgets were strained. Mr. David Lokoris, a trader in Amudat District, predicted that prices will more than double in the coming months due to animal shortages. “Meat prices have been increasing for the last two months to the detriment of local people,” Mr. Lokoris said.

Others attribute the high prices of meat to ongoing security operations against some traders involved in animal theft and sale. A crackdown on illegal cattle trade in the eastern region has led security forces to intensify their operations and imprison some traders. The operation follows increasing reports of cattle theft, which has disrupted the local meat supply chain and caused meat prices to rise. We discovered that stolen cattle, often sold at discounted prices on the black market, had previously been at the expense of local farmers and traders, allowing illegal traders to thrive. The reduced availability of affordable meat due to ongoing enforcement efforts has led to a significant increase in prices in local markets.

Farmers and legal cattle traders have mixed feelings about the initiative to protect their animals and restore fair market conditions, and they are also concerned about the long-term impact on supply. Some worry the arrests could lead to a shortage if demand for meat continues to exceed available supply.

Residents have repeatedly expressed concern about rapidly rising meat prices. Our investigations also revealed that farm gate prices for cows in Karamoja Sub-Region have increased by between Shs500,000 and Shs700,000. For example, a cow that once cost Shs700,000 now costs up to Shs1.2 million. Meat prices in Mbale City range from Shs 15,000 to Shs 16,000 depending on location. This is from Shs12,000. The price of a kilogram of meat in Tororo Town has now increased from Shs13,000 to Shs16,000.

A kilogram of meat costs Shs15,000 and Shs16,000 in Butaleja and Soroti respectively. Mr Tom Wafula, a meat trader in Tororo Town, said they incur huge costs in transporting cattle. This is above other charges. He said cattle traders in the region were facing increasing financial pressure due to rising transport costs.

“It has contributed to rising meat prices across the region. “The cost of transporting cattle from rural areas to urban markets has increased due to increases in fuel prices, road maintenance fees and taxes levied at various checkpoints.” Mr Wafula said if nothing changes, many people will not be able to afford meat in a few months. He added that traders face difficulties in meeting operational costs such as market taxes, animal feed and veterinary care.

Other factors affected Other traders blamed the rising prices on exorbitant charges for transporting animals and the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle corridor areas. The corridor stretches from Kotido and Moroto in the northeast towards central Uganda to Mubede, Rakai, Mbarara and Masaka in the southwest. Economists and industry analysts confirm that today’s high meat prices are a direct result of limited supply due to labor shortages, high input costs, labor and fuel, and strong consumer demand.

Cattle trader, Mr. Simon Opolot, said the decline in the number of cattle in the Karamoja cattle corridor has triggered shortages, thereby pushing up meat prices. “We have a shortage of animals in Karamoja Sub-Region, but still there are many consumers. We had to increase the price,” Mr. Opolot told Saturday Monitor. Another trader, Mr. Joseph Pulkol, said some middlemen were hijacking the trade.

“These middlemen determine the price and we are forced to buy the cattle at a high price, and furthermore, we increase the high price to make some profit.” Amudat District veterinary officer Dr Micheal Kaziro said cattle prices in cattle corridors have increased due to various factors.

“The rise in meat prices starts with farm gate prices for animals in the Karamoja Sub-region, which supplies other parts of Eastern Uganda. Cattle prices have increased (from Shs 1 million to Shs 1.5 million),” said Dr. Kaziro. “In Karamoja Sub-region, people are not selling their animals now because they have water. They are not under pressure to sell their cattle. During drought, people buy cattle cheaply.” “It sells, but we have enough water right now.”

According to Dr Kaziro, some areas are experiencing very heavy rainfall patterns. Mr. Pulkol said they incur huge costs in transporting the cattle, in addition to other expenses. “The roads connecting to most villages in Karamoja, where we take the animals, are bad. The owners of the vehicles we rent demand a lot of money, including other risks on the road, and this forces us to pay the price of meat,” he said.

Cattle theft Regional security officials attributed the rising prices to cattle theft. For example, on 17 August, joint security forces conducted an intelligence-led operation in Mbale City to capture suspected cattle thieves and criminal gangs, where they recovered stolen livestock. The operation took place following increasing public outcry over cattle theft. Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) 3rd Division spokesman Major Isaac Oware said some arrests were made after some animals and items were seized. He said that approximately 5 suspects were caught and 8 cows were rescued during the operation. Additionally, 3 vehicles and 2 motorcycles were seized.

Elgon Regional Police spokesman Mr Rogers Taitika said they had closed many butchers in the city due to cattle theft. He said that so far they have arrested 75 people, including traders, for allegedly stealing cattle in the region. “They use motor vehicles and motorcycles to transport stolen animals at night. “We are still tracking the 23 stolen cattle,” he said. Monitor.

According to a 2023 police crime report, as many as 8,442 cases of cattle theft were reported to the Force nationwide during the period under review, compared to 7,975 cases reported in 2022.

This represented a 5.9 percent increase in cattle thefts. The report found that in 2023, the highest number of cattle thefts were recorded in Rwizi Sub-District (946 cases), followed by East Kyoga with 612 cases, North Kyoga with 556 cases and Albertine with 575 cases, Elgon district with 278 cases and Moroto Mountain with 575 cases. It shows that 238 cases were recorded. Mr Isma Mafabi, a trader in Sironko District, said as security operations continue, the hope is to stabilize the market and ensure consumers can access meat at reasonable prices while protecting the livelihoods of honest farmers.

Figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Maaif) show that livestock production in the country contributes between seven percent and nine percent of the total GDP. According to the ministry, between 1991 and 2000, the cattle population in Uganda increased from 5.1 million to 6.1 million, and in 2008 the cattle population was pegged at 11.4 million. Mbale City senior communications officer, Mr James Kutosi, attributed the rising meat prices to cow prices and transportation costs.

“There are also market fees in cattle markets. Remember that most of the cows slaughtered in the city come from outside the city.”

Mbale District veterinary officer Dr. Philip Wakimwere attributed the rising prices to the economic situation. He said the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Sironko, Manafwa, Namisindwa and Manafwa districts has partially affected the cattle trade. “We buy cattle from Karamoja Sub-region and transportation costs have increased. This has also led traders to increase meat prices,” said Dr Wakimwere. He also attributed the increase to urbanization and high population in the region.

“Beef is in great demand as many people live in the town. “Meat consumption is high, our number of animals is low.”

He explained that there are only three cattle markets in Bugisu Sub-county, including Bukigai and Bushika in Bududa District, as well as Kimwanga in Mbale District. He added that this forced traders to buy animals in Karamoja.

Elgon Regional Police spokesperson, Mr Rogers Taitika, emphasized the importance of collective action in tackling livestock theft, urging community members to report suspicious activities related to cattle trade.