Cattle prices surge ahead of Eid Al-Aduha in Yumbe

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Prices of livestock in Yumbe district have sharply increased as Muslims prepare to celebrate Eid Al‑Aduha, one of the most important festivals in the Islamic faith.

The day is recognised as the day Prophet Ibrahim attempted to sacrifice his own son Ismail as part of his covenant with Almighty Allah, before Allah offered him a sheep. All able Muslims are required to sacrifice animals such as camels, cattle, sheep and goats to celebrate the day.

Jamal Kachabala Galu, a seasonal butcher in Yumbe town, said a cow that previously cost an average of sh1m in the livestock market is now selling at between sh1.3m and sh1.6m. He noted that goats, which were previously going at sh150,000, are now selling at sh250,000.

Jamal Kachabala Galu, a livestock businessman. (Photo by Adam Gule)

According to Galu, the prices of sheep have doubled. For instance, a sheep that used to be sold at a maximum of sh120,000 now goes at sh240,000 and above. He attributed the surge in prices to the forthcoming Eid Al-Aduha festival.



Galu added that another major factor in the surging prices is the coming of Muslim organisations who often buy animals and slaughter them to be distributed to the vulnerable Muslim community in the district to celebrate Eid Al-Aduha just like the able Muslims do.

"We used to buy the biggest and the healthier cattle at maximum of sh1.2m, but now it's at a minimum of sh1.6m. Similarly, the biggest goat previously sold at sh150,000 now goes at minimum of sh250,000," he said.

Rasul Amaku, a livestock dealer in Yumbe, said the surge in prices has heavily affected the ordinary citizens, who would like to buy their animals for other purposes rather than the Eid Al-Aduha festival.

"A man came to me and wanted a goat for his traditional marriage, but he couldn't afford the price. He had only prepared sh80,000 for a goat, yet the lowest price of a goat now is sh120,000," Amaku said.

Zubeir Abujere, another businessman involved in the livestock trade in the West Nile region, described the business as profitable. "I was able to sell five of my cows, which previously could be sold at a maximum of sh1.2m at between sh1.5m and sh1.8m," he said.

Dr Jamal Larubo, the Veterinary Doctor for Yumbe town council, revealed that besides the increase in prices, the number of livestock brought to the market has doubled.

"On average, we would receive 200 cattle, 400 goats and 100 sheep on the livestock market day, but this time, the number has doubled," Larubo said.

Yumbe is one of the districts with a high Muslim population in not only West Nile but countrywide.