UMSC told to equip butchers in animal slaughtering

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has been asked to offer more skills to the butchers to empower them into procedures of proper animal slaughtering.

UMSC is mandated with a role to orient and commission people for the purpose of slaughtering animals.

However, some veterinary experts  say butchers were slaughtering animals in disregard of the procedures and violation of animal rights.

They contend that violation of slaughtering procedures has compromised the quality of meat produced through Halaal hence affecting the market of Ugandan meat.

Dr Abubaker Mayanja, a veterinary expert, said all animals are entitled to the possession of their own lives and freedom from suffering.

Addressing butchers and members of UMSC Halaal directorate during Halaal stakeholders' workshop, Mayanja noted that the animals are stressed before they are slaughtered on top of using blunt pangas resulting into the death of animals after enduring much pain.

The workshop at UMSC conference hall is  aimed at deepening Halaal standards compliance.

He observed that stressed and traumatised animals even before they are slaughtered or even before reaching slaughter houses cannot produce good meat.

Mayanja noted that Uganda's meat was being violated right from the transportation stage of the animals to the slaughtering and marketing. 

He condemned the way the animals are transported in overcrowded vehicles on top of being flogged.

"Animals in such a state cannot produce good quality meat required to sustain international market. They produce strange toxins on top of blood clots affecting the meat quality," he said.

He implored the Government to come out and protect the rights of the animals, "Sometimes it irritates me to see a lorry loaded beyond capacity with cows, goats and sheep altogether."

Muhammad Katongole, a lawyer and a great advocate of animal rights said many people on ground do not know the rights of animals and  called on Government to invest in  sensitisation of the population.

The First Deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Moses Ali, while responding to their concerns, warned that government would not hesitate to have these butchers arrested and prosecuted.

Ali noted that mistreating animals was illegal and un-Godly; "Those involved in mishandling animals should be arrested and taken to court."  Ali urged the authorities.

Joy Kabatsi, the minister of state for animal husbandry, warned that this time round, the ministry will compromise no more on the quality of meat in the country.

As regards the range of interventions earmarked to enforce the quality of meat, she added that the ministry has started training all players in the industry on what to do among other initiatives.

Kabatsi expressed gratitude on public-private partnership between government of Uganda and UMSC to enforce Halaal meat standards adding that Halaal meat was now the most preferred by many markets.

Representing the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the UMSC director of Sharia Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Kakungulu lauded government for recognisng the right of Muslims to slaughter animals.

"For us in Islam, slaughtering is part of worshiping Allah (Ibaada) and we hold it in high esteem," he said.

He warned the butchers against the misuse of Halaal issues noting: "If we abuse the institution of Halaal, we may lose it"

According to the 2008, animal census by Uganda National Bureau of Statistics, Uganda has about 13 million heads of cattle, but less than a quarter of only 8% is put out for sale.