The region was affected by cattle rustling where the Jie community was said to be mainly behind this ruthless act after acquiring ammunitions from Southern Sudan. This has affected the livestock market which was recently opened in the course of the year. Several livestock markets were still grappling with SOPs when the habit of rustling intensified. The warriors were noted using trucks to transport stolen cattle further northwards through Kotido to Kaabong before trading them off to neighboring Sudanese traders.
There has been a fluctuation of livestock prices in the region due to cattle rustling. There was a general increase in the commodity prices after the entire region receiving above normal rainfall. Some extension officers noted that the rain pattern was very similar to the southern bi-model rain pattern compared to the mono rain pattern that is received in the region. This occurrence happened for the second year running took place and the farming communities were not able to utilize the rains because they were scattered in the third and four quarter of the year and were also above normal rains. This implies that there could be a food security issue early next year.
During the month of November, the weather pattern changed and very few locations received rainfall especially towards the end of the month compared to the rains received during October. The climate was one described by dry weather, dusty and windy.
In Nabilatuk, livestock was offered cheaper because of less trading as a result of the insecurity to do with cattle rustling. The price of beef was also affected lower. In the commodity market, commodity prices were highly priced where maize cost Ugx.3,000-3,500/can weighing 3.7kgs. Likewise, sorghum harvest was completed and most of the sorghum was traded or stored. The market in Nabilatuk received beans, fresh cassava, matooke, Irish potatoes from Sebei.
Cattle prices in Abim were cheaper during the month of November because of the same reasons that affect the entire region. Trades from outside the region bought cattle from Kanawatt and Regina markets in Kotido and loaded cattle from Abim on their way to Mbale and Soroti. Big bulls cost Ugx.800,000-Ugx.900,000. In the commodity market, maize was cheaper at Ugx.600/kg while sorghum that was harvested during the month of November was offered at Ugx.400/kg. The sorghum price is expected to drop further because the harvest has started. Rice was received from Soroti and Lira and retailed at Ugx.4000/kg. Plenty of sweet potatoes were supplied to Abim market from Kotido retailing at Ugx.500/heap. Irish potatoes and Matooke were supplied from Sebei and Mbale at Ugx.15,000 per bunch and Ugx.1200/kg respectively.
In Nakapiripirit livestock market prices were higher and a big bull was offered at Ugx.1,000,000. Traders were registered from Sebei and Soroti. The livestock trading in Nakapiripirit was also affected by raiding. Maize and sorghum traded at a lower price of Ugx.2500/can delivered from within the district. There were indications of less food availability compared to the previous month.
Kotido was most affected by cattle rustling and has pushed the livestock prices higher. Illegal cattle sales were going on before the clearance for most markets due to both Foot and Mouth disease and failed observation of Covid-19 SOPs. Large bulls cost Ugx.1,000,000 whereas goats cost between Ugx.80,000-Ugx.120,000. Very few animals were offered for sale which discouraged farmers to move their cattle from place to place in search for markets. Very stable prices for commodities were offered for sale in Kotido because the markets resumed later after failing to maintain SOPs.
Maize was offered cheaper in Amudat at Ugx.600/kg. Other commodities offered cheaper included Irish potatoes at Ugx.1200/kg and firewood at Ugx.3000/bundle. Similarly, livestock prices were registered higher at Ugx.1,500,000 a big bull while medium sized bulls cost Ugx.800,000-900,000. Beef and goats meat cost Ugx.10,000.
The maize and sorghum harvest that was concluded in Kaabong registered a poor yield. Maize was offered expensively at Ugx.3000/can during scarce supply, it increased by Ugx.500 due to scarce supply. Millet price increased from Ugx.4000/can, to Ugx.7000/can. Beans were received from Mbale retailing at Ugx.4000/kg.
Similarly, Napak had its challenges of cattle raiding and livestock prices were equally high where a big bull was offered at Ugx.1, 200,000. There was less supply of cattle. The Jie community raided Napak and made off with several heads of cattle. The maize and sorghum prices registered an increase during the month of November where a can increased from Ugx.3000 to Ugx.3500-4000. There was an increase in the price for Irish potatoes which increased to Ugx.2000/kg at retail. Some fresh items such as sweet potatoes and fresh cassava were delivered from Teso region. Beans were constant at averagely Ugx.3500/kg.
Cereal prices were also registered increasing during the month of November in Moroto and there might not be enough food for some communities when the dry season comes during the first quarter of the coming year. Harvesting of crops came to an end and prices have since increased gradually where maize was offered at Ugx.1100/kg at the conclusion of the month. It was offered at averagely Ugx.3000/can during the course of the month. The district also received some maize from Soroti at a lower price. Sorghum in Moroto was very scarce and cost Ugx.3000/can. However, some traders delivered sorghum at Ugx.800/kg from Soroti. They also delivered rice at Ugx.2800/kg from Soroti. Apparently, cassava flour price declined and most of it was supplied from Teso region. Sweet potatoes were delivered to Moroto from Kumi, Soroti, Amuria and Mbale. A heap was offered between Ugx.1000-2000. Irish potatoes were very expensive in Moroto and cost Ugx.2500/kg.
Kalenga was equally affected by running battles between raiders and the security. The security has done a lot to eliminate cattle rustling in the region. However, since most of the raiders were armed, the habit continues especially towards the northern districts and beyond. There was little livestock trading registered in the district rendering prices high. Very few animals were offered for sale to avoid getting involved in theft cases. Produce prices were equally high at Ugx.3000/can in most markets.
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