Livestock farmers and traders in Lwemiyaga Constituency, Sembabule District, have called on the government and local authorities to establish a functional livestock market in the area, saying the absence of one is causing financial losses and denying the community valuable local revenue.
Residents raised the concerns during community meetings held in Ntusi and Lwemiyaga sub-counties, where they highlighted challenges affecting their livelihoods. They said farmers are forced to travel to distant markets in Kyemamba, Lyantonde District, and Butawaata in Mubende District, making livestock trade costly and risky.
Abubakar Kato, a livestock farmer, said the long journeys have resulted in animals dying before reaching the markets, particularly when farmers cannot afford to hire vehicles. He said some cattle keepers are forced to walk their animals for two to three days, exposing both the livestock and their owners to exhaustion and other risks.
Farmers also revealed that Lwemiyaga previously had a livestock market at Nkonge in Kyera Sub-county, but the facility was closed amid leadership and political disagreements. Steven Katonde, another farmer, said the closure has severely disrupted livestock businesses and urged authorities to resolve the disputes and restore the market.
Traders further expressed concern that attempts to establish a new market at Kabingo Village have also been frustrated by disagreements among local leaders. Paul Nsubuga, chairperson of livestock traders in Greater Ntusi, said the absence of a functional market means taxes and other revenues generated from livestock sales are instead collected by neighbouring districts.
The residents also raised alarm over increasing cattle theft, saying the problem is threatening the livestock trade and causing traders to lose money when stolen animals enter the market. Police, however, assured the community that efforts were underway to tackle livestock theft and urged residents to report suspicious activities and provide information to investigators.
The meetings also brought complaints against money lenders, with residents accusing some of seizing borrowers’ property before agreed repayment periods have elapsed. They asked their Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Rwashande, to intervene and support measures aimed at protecting vulnerable borrowers from unfair lending practices.
Responding to the concerns, Rwashande promised to push for solutions, saying plans were underway to establish a livestock market in Lwemiyaga. He also announced plans for a government bank in Ntusi Town to help residents access affordable loans and savings services, while citing ongoing and planned investments in health, education and roads, including a health facility at Kashuga, Seed Secondary Schools and the Sembabule-Mubende road.
