

4 February 2025, 9:53 am
By Stanley Ebele
A shortage of fresh meat has affected residents of the South Division in Kotido Municipality, causing meat prices to soar and pushing people in the meat trade out of business.
According to local residents, there has been no supply of meat registered in the area since early January, which they attribute to the migration of herdsmen with their livestock to neighbouring districts.
The reduction in meat supply is noticeable in most parts of Kotido district and municipality. A kilo of meat currently ranges between 12,000 – 14,000 shillings.
This time, formalised migrations led by kraal leaders have seen the herdsmen lead their flocks to neighbouring districts such as Abim, Kapelebyong, Amuria, Otuke, Kitgum, and Agago, making animal products, including meat and milk, a rare commodity in South division and Panyangara.
Others suggest that the existing relative peace has also impacted the supply of meat, as livestock theft has been reduced. As a result, meat slaughtered for public consumption now attracts a higher price, compared to stolen cattle, which were sold cheaply by smugglers.
Francis Amer, an elderly meat seller now out of business, says the migration of the kraals has driven up livestock prices, as well as the prices of their products.
Joseph Lokol, another elder, agrees that the meat business has virtually collapsed in South Division following the migration of the herdsmen due to water scarcity in Kotido, which has pushed the prices of animal products higher.
However, Sofia Nakiru, a local resident and meat consumer, notes that meat prices have been soaring since the festive season began, and consumers have no purchasing power to buy.
However, Sofia Nakiru, a local resident and meat consumer, notes that meat prices have been soaring since the festive season began, and consumers lack the purchasing power to buy.