Meat sales decline

Apr 29, 2020

“To adhere to the COVID 19 preventive measures, we have laid off almost half of the workers to prevent congestion. We have also come up with a system of working in shifts,” Mutesasira added

COVID-19

 

Packed to capacity, the exhausted cows struggle for breathing space as they are led to the slaughterhouse.

This is the sight of Uganda city abattoir located along Port Bell Road in Kampala.

Meat sales at the city abattoir have greatly declined as a result of the lockdown that was imposed on the country to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Wilberforce Mutesasila, the City Abattoir Traders Development Association spokesperson told New Vision that they no longer get customers because of the ban on transport.

"Even those who used to buy a kg or two of meat no longer have access to the premises which has affected sales, hence contributing to the laying off of workers," he said adding that on average they used to slaughter 300 cows on a daily basis but now they slaughter only about 80.

The cost of meat has also increased from sh8500 sh10500 per kg.

A customer's temperature being read before accessing the city Abattoir

 
Measures against COVID-19

"To adhere to the COVID 19 preventive measures, we have laid off almost half of the workers to prevent congestion. We have also come up with a system of working in shifts," Mutesasira added. 

Temperatures testing, hand washing containers with water, and soap have also been put in place to ensure that whoever enters the premises first get tested and washes hands.

Mutesasira, however, noted that the situation is more likely to worsen if the lockdown continues.