Zziwa explains that they used to slaughter over 100 head of cattle during the Easter and Christmas seasons but today less than 35 head of cattle have been slaughtered in Luwero Central market.
There is a
slight increase in the prices of beef and foodstuff in Luwero town council due
to shortage ahead of Easter Sunday. In Luwero Central and Kasana
Markets, the price of beef has increased from Shillings 13,000 to 14,000
shillings whereas a Kilogram of goat meat is selling at Shillings 18000 from Shillings
17,000.
A kilogram of offal has remained at Shillings 8000, liver Shillings
14,000 and fresh fish Shillings 17,000. Chicken is going for Shillings 20,000
from Shillings 18,000shs for off layers, broilers Shillings 13,000 from Shillings
12,000 while local chicken cost Shillings 35,000 from Shillings 30,000.
A bunch of banana now goes for between Shillings 9000 and 25,000
whereas a bag of sweet potatoes is going for Shillings 250,000 from Shillings 230,000.
A box of tomatoes is going for Shillings 300,000. A bag of green pepper is
selling at Shillings 100, 000 and onions have increased to 300,000 from Shillings
250,000.
Robert Zziwa, the Vice-Chairperson of Luwero Cattle Traders
Association says that the slight increase in the price of meat is due to the scarcity
of cattle as a result of prolonged drought and animal thefts. Zziwa explains that they used to slaughter over 100 head of cattle on Easter
and Christmas season but today less than 35 head of cattle have been slaughtered
in Luwero Central market.
He says that due to scarcity of the head of cattle and
poverty among residents they have decided to slaughter fewer cattle. Lugonzo
Kimeeze, a butcher in Luwero Central market, says that although there has been a
slight increase in meat prices, there are few buyers.
// Cue in: “bbeyi eyo…
Cue out;…mu mwaka”//
Harunah Ssekitoleko, the director of Classic Butcher in Luwero Central market,
said that due to scarcity of head of cattle, pastoralists increased the prices
of cattle to between Shillings 2-3 million per head.
// Cue in: “Ente za bbeyi…
Cue out;…bananyiyo”//
Other cattle traders blamed the scarcity over the repeated foot and mouth
disease outbreak in the cattle corridor. The banana and fish traders also
blamed the prices on the shortage in supply. Samuel Mukasa, a resident of Luwero town said that although
there has been a slight price increase, the foodstuff and meat remain unaffordable
to many citing the prolonged COVID 19 lockdown, which has affected many
businesses.
He says that farmers who were not affected so much are crying foul
over poor harvests making it difficult for them to buy many kilograms of meat
for Easter. Mukasa said that he bought two kilograms of meat below the five kilograms he
usually buys during Easter for his family.
Josephine Musoke, another resident
said she couldn’t spend much on buying meat citing pressure over school fees as
learners resume studies. Meat, bananas,
rice, chicken and fish form the bulk of the menu on Easter Sunday in Luwero.
