HOIMA CITY, Uganda – The Hoima City Council has taken swift action to address widespread public alarm, issuing an urgent directive to investigate social media claims that grasshoppers being sold in the city are poisonous and pose a serious health risk.
The directive came in an official letter dated November 19, 2025, from the City Town Clerk, Mr. Godfrey B. Kisekka, to the City Health Officer.
The letter highlights the administration’s deep concern over the viral messages, which it says have the potential to cause “unnecessary panic” and “harm local businesses involved in the grasshopper trade.”
Grasshoppers, a seasonal delicacy rich in protein, are a popular snack and a key source of income for many vendors across the city. The unverified claims circulating online threaten to destabilize this local economy and create fear among consumers.
In his letter, Town Clerk Kisekka emphasized the critical need to verify the claims, stating that it is “crucial to establish the reality of these messages to ensure public safety and to prevent misinformation from spreading further.”
He called for a thorough and immediate investigation by the City Health Office. Once completed, the health office is expected to provide a detailed report on its findings.
This report will guide the city administration in taking appropriate action, which may include legal measures against those responsible for spreading false information, as well as the implementation of public health safeguards.
The situation is being treated with high priority, with copies of the letter distributed to top city officials, including the Resident City Commissioner, the City Internal Security Officer (CISO), the Mayor, and all Deputy and Assistant RCCs.
The City Council has assured residents that the matter is being handled with the seriousness it deserves and has urged the public to remain calm and await the official findings of the investigation. Consumers are advised to rely only on verified information from official city channels.
