Kitgum butchers’ cooperative to take over struggling livestock market

Pamela Adokorach, the Kitgum Principal Personnel Secretary to the Chief Administrative Officer, said the district local government will engage the cooperative’s leadership to harmonise the handover process following the decision.

Speaking at a recent security meeting organised by the Office of the Resident District Commissioner, attended by butchers, livestock traders and security officials, Adokorach said the move is intended to improve management of the market. The facility, constructed in 2023, has yet to generate significant revenue for the district.

“The Kitgum District Local Government will sit down with the leadership of the Kitgum Butchers Cooperative Society to harmonise the issues so that they can take over in the next financial year,” she said.

Adokorach noted that although the market had previously been tendered out, it has continued to underperform. She was responding to a request from Geoffrey Innocent Nyero, the cooperative’s vice chairperson, who argued that handing over the facility would enhance revenue collection.

Nyero said the cooperative would be able to maintain proper records of all livestock entering and leaving the district, helping to curb widespread animal theft. “Handing over the facility to us will make it easier for the district to generate revenue,” he said.

Walter Komakech Oyo, the Kitgum Deputy Resident District Commissioner, said transferring management of the market to the cooperative would also strengthen security oversight of livestock trade.

He noted that his office receives near-daily complaints of livestock theft, largely due to poor record-keeping of animal movements across the district.

Oyo urged the cooperative’s leadership and members to manage the facility effectively once the handover is completed, and pledged continued support in tackling livestock theft.

Formed in 2023, the Kitgum Butchers Cooperative Society has more than 58 members, mainly butchers and livestock traders. According to Nyero, the district records an average of 10 to 15 livestock-related cases.

The Labongo Akwang Livestock Market, located at Pajimo Trading Centre in Labongo Akwang Sub-county, was constructed at a cost of Shs 240 million using locally raised revenue. It became operational in October 2023 as the only livestock market in the East Acholi sub-region.

https://thecooperator.news/kitgum-farmers-in-need-of-value-addition-facilities/

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