Chicken has become the new king of Kyotera. Priced at a staggering Shs 17,000 per kilogram, it’s the only meat on the menu after a devastating anthrax outbreak forced a two-month quarantine on livestock and beef trade.
The once-affordable chicken, now a luxury, reflects the harsh reality of life in Kyotera. The disease, claiming 17 lives since September, has cast a shadow over Christmas, leaving residents facing tough choices and empty pockets.
“Selling chicken is a challenge,” sighs Muhammed Batte, a butcher. With local farmers demanding Shs 50,000 for a 3kg bird, he struggles to make ends meet.
Desperate measures are the order of the day. Kyotera District Commissioner Apollo Mugume urges residents to embrace chicken, the only animal protein deemed safe during the quarantine.
But the shift isn’t easy. “A kilo of chicken isn’t enough,” laments Rose Namakula. Beans, greens, and groundnuts will replace the traditional Christmas feast for her family.
Dairy farmers like Joseph Kagame face another dilemma. Milk prices have plummeted from Shs 1,200 to Shs 700 as fear of anthrax keeps buyers away. “We depend on cattle for income,” he says, his voice laced with despair.
The lockdown isn’t just about meat. Security checkpoints guard every access road, vigilant against smugglers of milk and cattle. “No slaughtering, no selling,” warns Mugume, his message clear. Disobeying means facing arrest.
Kyotera isn’t alone in its anthrax battle. The World Health Organization reports outbreaks across East and Southern Africa, with Uganda among the five affected countries. Over 1,100 suspected cases and 20 deaths highlight the seriousness of the situation.
Zambia, with its worst outbreak since 2011, poses a particular concern. Contaminated hippopotamus meat is suspected of infecting 26 people, and the threat of regional spread looms large.
Climate shocks, food insecurity, and lack of awareness are identified as key drivers of the outbreaks. The fight against anthrax remains a race against time, with Kyotera’s residents bearing the brunt of the struggle.
