Police stop Bukedea councillors from inspecting cattle market

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Police officers from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) on Monday, July 6, 2026, dispersed Bukedea Town Council councillors, who had gone to the Bukedea Cattle Market to assess revenue collection ahead of the council's planned takeover of the market's operations.

The councillors said they were carrying out an oversight visit as part of preparations for the Town Council to begin collecting market dues following the expiry of the previous revenue collection contract.

The police intervention is the latest twist in an increasingly contentious dispute over the management of one of Bukedea's largest local revenue sources.

Councillors inspect revenue collection at the market as part of preparations for the Town Council's takeover following the expiry of a private contractor's agreement on June 30. (Credit: David Opus)

The confrontation comes just days after Bukedea Town Council intensified preparations to take over the management of the cattle market.

Over the weekend, councillors and technical staff conducted a clean-up exercise at the market, clearing litter and inspecting the facility in readiness for the council's planned interim management.

According to councillors, the takeover followed the expiry of a private revenue collection contract on June 30, this year, and was approved through a council resolution while the district prepares to advertise for a new contractor.

The Bukedea town council Vice Chairperson, Francis Amongin, said the temporary arrangement is intended to improve accountability in revenue collection, enhance sanitation and provide better services to livestock traders and farmers.

Bukedea Cattle Market is estimated to generate more than sh8 million on every market day, making it one of the Town Council's most important sources of locally-generated revenue.

Councillors and technical staff take part in a clean-up exercise at the market, clearing litter and inspecting the facility ahead of the Town Council's planned interim management. (Credit: David Opus)

Contract extension sparks standoff

Despite the council's preparations, the transition has been complicated by competing claims over who has the legal mandate to manage the market.

Councillors allege that Orongat Contractors, whose contract expired on June 30, continues to collect market dues after seeking a two-month extension.

The disagreement has left traders and local leaders uncertain about who is legally responsible for collecting market dues.

Bukedea district Chief Administrative Officer James Luyimbazi said the current standoff is largely driven by outstanding debts owed by the existing market contractor.

According to Luyimbazi, the district has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the contractor outlining how the outstanding arrears will be cleared.

Bukedea Town Council Chairperson Sam Engole echoed the same concerns, saying the dispute is rooted in the contractor's failure to settle the outstanding debt while continuing to collect revenue from the market.

Engole dismissed allegations linking him to attempts to hand over the market to specific individuals, insisting that their priority is to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, safeguard public funds and guarantee transparent management of the market.

As the dispute continues, the future management of Bukedea Cattle Market and the millions of shillings it generates in local revenue remain uncertain.