District Updates Happening Now:

Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has directed Soroti City to relocate Arapai weekly cattle market from its land located in Aloet Ward Soroti City East Division Soroti City. In a letter dated 20th January, 2022 to Soroti City Clerk, the Permanent Secretary of MAAIF Maj. Gen. David Kasura – Kyomukama noted that the ministry is intending to use the land to establish an inland animal export quarantine stations. “Trade sensitive diseases especially foot and mouth disease are a major hindrance to trade in animals and animal products both locally and internationally. They lead to loss of income to the farmers and government revenue. As a way to solve the above problem and enhance international trade, the Ministry intends to establish inland animal export quarantine stations. In these, strict observance of the required sanitary conditions and disease control procedures will be adhered to in order to stop export disease free animals or animal products,” The letter read. Maj. Gen. Kasura in his letter further indicated that the ministry has identified Arapai Quarantine station land in Soroti city for the above purpose. “I am informed that Soroti City is utilizing the same land as a livestock market.

The purpose of this communication therefore is to request you to relocate the livestock market currently operating on the said land so that MAAIF can put the land to its intended use,” He requested. The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has also registered and approved the relocation of Arapia Livestock market owned by Soroti District to Arabaka Village, Arabaka Parish, Arapai Sub County Soroti District. In his letter dated 17, January 2022 to the Chief Administrative Officer Soroti District, the Permanent Secretary of MAAIF Maj. Gen. David Kasura – Kyomukama said that, “the purpose of this communication is to inform you that your request to relocate the market to Arabaka Village, Arabaka Parish, Arapai Sub County has been granted.

He asked the District authorities to operate the livestock market following the approved standard guidelines in order to comply with animal welfare, disease control and public health aspects. Both Soroti District and Soroti City have been embroiled in a cold war over the operations of the two parallel markets with Soroti City maintaining the former famous Arapai Market while the district shifted their own to Arabaka. Both markets are operating on Thursday something policy and economic analysts claim is going to cripple the revenue base for Soroti District.