Kasese authorities ban ‘imported meat’ over Ebola

KASESE –  In a bid to stop the spread of Ebola disease in Kasese district, authorities have decided to ban the sale of cheap “Sanga meat” there, stating that it is procured from unclear sources.

The Kasese district surveillance officer, Sam Muhindo Kabinga said the ban on selling the said meat is a measure to keep out Ebola that could be brought into the district from other places.

Most of the district authorities do not know the exact origin of the said cheap meat though they suspect dealers get it from the popular Sanga town in Kiruhura district along Mbarara-Masaka Highway, hence the name, ‘Sanga meat’.

Kasese district Ebola taskforce has directed all four division police commanders in the Rwenzori West to carry out operations in the spot markets that have been dealing in the business of selling Sanga meat.

“Ebola virus disease can spread from the infected animal to another animal or a person. And now we don’t know the clear sources of this Sanga meat. To be on a safer side, we have decided to ban it,” Kabinga said.

He warned traders that they would be arrested and arraigned in courts of law if they went ahead to disobey the directive from the district authorities.

Areas known for selling Sanga meat in Kasese district are Kibara in Nyakirumba Sub-county, Kiburara in Kisinga Sub-County, Karumba market in Kyarumba town council, and Mawa market in Kasese Municipality among other areas.

The Kasese District veterinary Officer[DVO], Dr.Yusuf Kabaya said Sanga meat is not good for human consumption, adding that their efforts to have it banned in the district have been frustrated by political leaders.

In 2018, Kasese district council resolved to ban the sale of Sanga meat from the local markets but it hit a dead end.

Last week, police arrested some traders from Mawa market in Kasese Municipality, impounding over 200 kilogrammes of Sanga meat as it was found to be rotten.

Kabinga however appealed to heads of public places like churches, schools, markets, and bus terminals in the Kasese district to embrace the culture of washing their hands with soap and clean water and avoid getting in contact with suspected Ebola patients.

https://thecooperator.news/mbarara-women-receive-training-in-meat-processing/

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