Fort Portal & Kabarole Butcheries Suffer Losses Amid Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak

Alice

In response to the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Kabarole and Fort Portal, which prompted the imposition of quarantine measures on animal movements, slaughter, and the prohibition of their products, local butcheries in the affected districts have reported significant losses.

Hajji Hamis, the proprietor of a butchery in Kasusu, Fort Portal city, shared his experience of financial setback due to the quarantine narrating that he incurred losses after purchasing animals for slaughter, and the meat left in his butchery had to be discarded due to spoilage.

Hamis lamented that the quarantine measures have adversely impacted their livelihoods, especially considering the fact that Ugandans rely on daily income to meet their basic needs. With all the butcheries closed, accessing food has become increasingly challenging for them.

Hamis the butcher, further revealed that he had taken a loan from money lenders in anticipation of selling the meat to repay the loan. However, the quarantine disrupted this plan, exacerbating their financial strain.

He equally highlighted that the timing of the quarantine coincided with the school fees season, when many parents typically sell their animals to raise funds for their children’s education.

However, the current situation has hindered this process, because butchery businesses are unable to take advantage of purchasing animals at lower prices as usual.