Members of Parliament from the Karamoja sub-region have urged the government to increase funding for the livestock trade, emphasizing the sector's critical role in the region's economy.
The call was made during the second parliamentary sitting held in Gulu on August 29, 2024, through a motion moved by Faith Nakut, the Woman MP for Napak District, urging the government to allocate more resources to livestock farming in Northern Uganda.
John Baptist Lokii, the MP for Matheniko County, criticized the current budget allocation for livestock as insufficient, describing it as "peanuts" that fall short of supporting substantial livestock development and trade.
He stressed the need for the government to prioritize the livestock sector, which is the economic backbone of the Karamoja sub-region.
Janet Okorimoe, the Woman MP for Abim District, pointed out that while Karamoja has the highest number of livestock in Uganda, the region does not benefit proportionately from the sale of milk and beef products.
She called for government investment in improving livestock breeds and reconstructing ranches across Northern Uganda to boost productivity and economic returns.
Ben Baatom, the MP for Dodoth West, highlighted the high quality of Karamoja cattle, which graze on organic pastures and produce meat capable of competing in international markets.
However, he noted that prolonged droughts negatively impact cattle growth, underscoring the need for bulk water trapping and transfer systems from seasonal water catchment areas in the region.
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Peter Abrahams Lokii, the MP for Jie County, raised concerns about the involvement of investors in the livestock trade, cautioning that many are profit-driven and do not contribute to the welfare of local communities.
He advocated for a more scrutinized approach to involving investors to ensure their activities benefit the region's residents.
The motion moved by MP Nakut seeks to achieve several objectives, including increased resource allocation for livestock, improved market access for livestock farmers, enhanced functionality of animal breeding facilities, the introduction of advanced livestock breeding programs, and the promotion of beef and milk production.
The MPs' appeal reflects a broader effort to tackle the challenges facing the livestock sector in Karamoja and Northern Uganda, advocating for sustainable development strategies that will benefit local communities and drive the region's economic growth.
