Kwania police destroy illegal meat in Aduku health crackdown
Authorities say the meat was being sold through butcheries sourcing animals from ungazetted slaughter points, bypassing mandatory inspection at the government abattoir
KWANIA, March 21, 2026 — Police and veterinary authorities in Kwania district have launched a crackdown on the sale of illegal and uninspected meat in Aduku Town Council, after complaints from residents over growing public health risks.
In a joint operation on Wednesday, officials impounded 80 kilogrammes of uninspected beef worth Shs 1.2 million and destroyed it by fire. The operation was led by the Kwania District Veterinary Officer, Dr Charles Opeto.
Authorities say the meat was being sold through butcheries sourcing animals from ungazetted slaughter points, bypassing mandatory inspection at the government abattoir.
Dr Opeto said the sale of uninspected meat had persisted despite repeated warnings to traders.
“There is little I can do alone because the breach of food safety and public health standards goes beyond my capacity. On several occasions, I have warned butchers against selling uninspected meat, but some have turned a deaf ear,” he said.
He warned that eating uninspected meat exposes the public to diseases such as brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, anthrax, toxoplasmosis and hydatid disease.
“Selling meat without clearance from the authorities is dangerous to human health. I strongly warn butchers to stop the practice, especially those still selling meat from dead animals,” Opeto added.
Kwania District Police Commander Alison Arinda said the operation was aimed at protecting the public and restoring order in the meat trade.
“It is criminal to sell uninspected meat because it endangers public health and violates the law. We also suspect this illegal trade is contributing to the rising theft of animals such as goats and cattle in the district,” Arinda said.
She said police would deploy detectives to hotels, restaurants, butcheries and roads leading into the town centre to track down illegal dealers.
A meat trader, who declined to be named, blamed Aduku Town Council authorities for failing to strictly enforce meat inspection rules, saying some butchers avoid the abattoir to cut transport and operating costs.
Fake stamps
Alex Okello Omego, Chairperson of the Aduku Butchers’ Association, welcomed the crackdown, saying some traders were even using fake inspection stamps to deceive customers.
“Some traders go as far as using fake stamps to dupe customers. This is fraudulent and puts the lives of consumers at risk. I welcome the operation and pray that it continues,” he said.
Aduku Town Council has one designated government abattoir in Ikwera Ward along the Aduku–Nambieso Subcounty road. The facility reportedly slaughters between 20 and 30 animals a day, including cattle and goats.
But authorities say the amount of meat on sale in local butcheries suggests that many more animals are being slaughtered outside the official inspection system.
https://thecooperator.news/nebbi-police-arrest-four-for-selling-meat-despite-ban/
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