Kaboha
Residents of Fort Portal City are bracing themselves for the much-anticipated arrival of edible grasshoppers locally known as Ensenene. Unlike in previous years when the seasonal brought unreserved celebration, this season is marked by deep anxiety
Harvesters and traders say the soaring cost of living, sharp fuel prices and expensive trapping gear threaten to turn a golden harvest into an uphill financial battle
In neighborhoods like Kamengo, Harukoto, Bukwali and Kagote as well as parts of Kitumba, residents have traditionally spent late October and November setting up elaborate trapping stations, connecting iron sheets, positioning heavy drums and wiring glowing lighting bulbs powered by hydro power and generators.
Joseph Kakama a seasonal grasshopper harvester in Kitumba, note that setting up just one harvesting unit has become very expensive considering the price of iron sheets, electrical fittings, and wire mesh which have doubled in prices
John Bosco Mugisa a resident of Kisenyi who has traded grasshoppers for six seasons says, fuel to run the business in transporting ensenene to Kampala and other surrounding areas will be costly considering the current price of fuel ranging between 6,800 to 7,000 shillings a litre