Reports indicate that there has been a drastic reduction in livestock production in the districts of Abim, Kotido, Karenga and Kaabong between 2021 and 2023.

This is contained in a submission to the state minister for animal industry.

Margret Nalem, Karenga district vice chairperson while submitting her presentation revealed that the district of up to date has 13,240 cattle, 38,672 goats, 34,000 Pigs, 32,000 Poultry and 80 donkeys but did not present the previous statistics.

Cue//…Nalem Margret

Kaabong district chairperson Jino Meri while referring to the vaccination data in 2021 revealed that the district had 33,858 cattle, 56,862 goats and 43,295 sheep but according to the 2023 vaccination data, the district registered 3,082 cattle, 10,000 goats, 7,938 sheep.

Cue//…Jino Meri

Oscar Okengo the District Veterinary Officer Abim noted that the 2021 animal census indicated that the district had 32,780 herds of cattle, 63,517 goats and 18,210 pigs but the 2023 vaccination data shows the district has 12,461 Cattle, 17,241 goats and 13,811 pigs.

Cue//…Okengo Oscar

In Kotido district, Fredrick Emmanuel Nyanga the deputy CAO disclosed that the national livestock census held in 2021 estimated a population of 578,000 cattle, 1,200,000 sheep, 473,000 goats, 15,000 donkeys and 10 camels.

In 2023 he says the estimated population now stands at 205,000 cattle, 980,000 sheep, 348,000 goats, 8,000 donkeys and 15 camels.

Cue//…Nyanga Emmanuel

The reports show that the losses were caused by cattle rustling, diseases, lack of funds and transport for quick response among others.

Lt Col Bright Rwamirama- the state minister Animal industry acknowledged the importance of livestock to families in Karamoja, with 80 percent directly involved in livestock farming ,adding that recent studies indicate that livestock is being lost in Karamoja due to cattle rustling and diseases.

He however pledged government’s commitment towards addressing the challenges.