In Kigangazi City Council, Bukomansimbi District, a rift has emerged between goat merchants and native authorities following the extended cattle quarantine affecting the city’s livestock market.
The merchants’ discontent reached a boiling level after neighbouring sub-counties had been cleared from foot and mouth illness (FMD) quarantine whereas Kigangazi remained beneath the restriction.
Kigangazi City Council and different sub-counties, together with Bigasa, Kitanda, Bukango, and Kagologolo City Council went into quarantine on January 14 after the outbreak of foot and mouth illness in Bukomansimbi.
Wednesday flea market day, a staple for residents to promote their merchandise, grew to become a battleground for dissent.
Ssekajja Kirigwajjo, a vocal chief among the many merchants, voiced their grievances, alleging that guarantees made by a veterinary physician [Name withheld for legal reasons – editor] to have the quarantine lifted weren’t honoured regardless of monetary transactions.
“Our veterinary physician, [name withheld], advised us concerning the foot and mouth illness and he advised us that the illness has come from our neighbouring district Sembabule however he advised us to gather some cash in order that they don’t put us into cattle lockdown,” Kirigwajjo stated.
“Every of us introduced Shs5,000 however since then we’ve by no means seen him wherever and even when we name him he now not solutions our calls.”
A few of annoyed goat merchants in Kigangazi City Council One other dealer added: “When he was amassing the cash, he stated it was shopping for FMD vaccines so that each one cattle get vaccinated with the goal of avoiding quarantine however till now he’s nowhere to be seen.”
The chairperson for goat merchants, John Ssebulime, lamented the dire circumstances confronted by merchants since January, emphasising their heavy reliance on goat gross sales for livelihoods.
Grace Nalwoga, who’s answerable for charge assortment on the market, stated she was now not amassing the dues due to the market’s closure, leaving her tender inactive.
“You pay the taxes earlier than beginning work. Now I’ve skipped 16 markets, together with these for seasons and people for festive days however this time I skipped the festive days,” Nalwoga stated.
“I’ve incurred losses of between Shs2.5 million and Shs3 million, and I have no idea the place I will get the cash from.”
Kigangazi City Council chairperson, Yasin Kawuma, highlighted the financial toll on the council because of misplaced tax income from the dormant market.
He stated since Kigangazi continues to be a brand new city council, they’ve by no means obtained any funds from the federal government and the city council was run on taxes but the goat market is the principle supply of tax assortment in Kigangazi.
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The scenario escalated additional as merchants, led by Kirigwajjo, vowed to defy the lockdown and resume promoting their goats.
“We’re already going again to the market and on Wednesday subsequent week we’ve to commerce by drive,” he stated.
In response, Steven Nfashengabo, the RDC of Bukomansimbi and head of the district foot and mouth illness activity drive, reiterated the need of the quarantine, citing Kigangazi’s position because the epicentre of the illness outbreak.
“The Ministry of Agriculture advised us to carry the ban on the sub-counties however Kigangazi remained as a result of it was the supply of foot and mouth illness in Bukomansimbi so we’re nonetheless following as much as see whether or not the illness grew to become has been eradicated,” RDC stated.
Regardless of urging merchants to maintain calm, tensions proceed to simmer between merchants and authorities.
