By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
A section of residents and meat dealers in Mbale City have called for the immediate closure of the Mbale City Abattoir over concerns that it is putting people’s lives at risk.
They raised this concern on Wednesday, 8th May, 2024 while speaking to our reporter over the continuous poor hygiene and sanitation at the city abattoir.
The abattoir that was built in the 1960s is located in the Industrial area industrial city division in Mbale city has not been renovated since it was built.
In 2000, city businessman Hassan Basajjalabala of Basajjabalaba Hides & Skins Limited tried to renovate the facility but the work stalled over disagreements with authorities.
The meat dealers said some people have abandoned the abattoir.
Badru Mukasa, the chairman of Mbale city abattoir, when speaking to our reporter acknowledged that the facility is in a sorry state.
“The whole place is dirty. We have raised the concern to Mbale City Council officials but in vain. We have written letters but the leaders are quiet and yet they collect revenue,” Mr Mukasa said.
He revealed that every month, they pay Shs3M to Mbale city but they don’t get any good services.
Joseph Sseleko, one of the meat dealers in Mbale city abattoir says that they are operating like animals in a very dirty environment.
“The facility lacks running water, no toilets, no electricity, no fence leading to the disappearance of our cattle,”he said.
Musa Kassaja Musa, the Speaker Mbale Industrial City Division, attributed the dire situation at the abattoir to city Council Authorities.
“It is true the abattoir has no pit latrine, the place is very dirty,” Mr Kassaja said.
He says that, angry meat dealers are planning to abandon the facility in protest.
Kharite Kakai, the Mbale City Deputy Mayor has called for calm saying it’s true the abattoir is hygienically bad but the city has already made the quotation for renovations and putting all sanitary facilities soon.
