By Aaron Okotel
MBALE CITY
Tensions reached a boiling point at the Mbale City Chambers on Thursday 07th – 05 – 2026 as meat dealers confronted city authorities over allegations of corruption, illegal stamps, and theft of their products.
The meeting had brought together the City Mayor, Town Clerk, District Police Commander (DPC), veterinary officers and the meat business community, intended to find ways to improve meat quality. Instead, it exposed a deep rift between the traders and the officials sworn to regulate them.
Mr. Gidudu Yusuf, Chairman of the Mbale City Meat Packers Association, led the charge, accusing city authorities of using enforcement as a facade for robbery. The traders allege that veterinary doctors are playing a “double game” that is suffocating the local economy.
According to Badru Mukasa, Chairperson of Mbale Abattoirs, the corruption involves a sophisticated “trap” set by officials:
“A doctor stamps the meat to clear it for consumption. Then, moments later, the same doctor returns with security personnel to confiscate the meat, claiming it was smuggled. It is a double standard meant to extort money from us.”
Traders further alleged that a forged stamp is being circulated by rogue veterinary officers to obtain bribes. The association has issued an ultimatum to the city to reshuffle the veterinary team or face a retaliation against enforcement teams.
Beyond the allegations of corruption, traders highlighted a dire lack of infrastructure. Kizito Jamada, Chairman of Northern Division traders, pointed out that the city’s growth has far outpaced its facilities with only 4 slaughter slabs serve the entire city (2 in Northern Division, 2 in Industrial Division).
“Northern Division alone has 7 sub-counties the congestion is unbearable, leading to poor sanitation, especially on public market days,” Jamada noted.
The Mbale City Production Officer, Mr. Mageni George, acknowledged the existence of a forged stamp but shifted the blame toward the police. He claimed that while his office arrests smugglers, the police often release them without prosecution.
“As doctors, we have limits,” Mageni said. “After arresting offenders, we hand them to the police and the legal team. We need to see these cases prosecuted to a conclusion rather than seeing smugglers back on the street the next day.”
However, Isma Wambede, a director of the Meat Packers Association, countered that confiscated meat rarely reaches the police station. Instead, he claimed enforcement officers hold the meat all day until it begins to rot, forcing traders to abandon it or pay bribes.
Addressing the agitated crowd, Mbale City DPC Bakashaba Kenneth promised a shift in strategy. He pledged to involve the leadership of the meat association in future operations to ensure transparency.
“I appeal to the traders to cooperate and ensure they have the correct permits when transporting animals,” Bakashaba said. “I also urge you to desist from mixing politics with police duties.”
