The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Mpigi, Sarah Nanono Kaweesi, has warned butchers across the district over poor sanitation standards, saying the government will close slaughterhouses that continue to expose residents to unsafe meat.
Nanono made the remarks during an inspection of the Mpigi Town Council slaughterhouse following reports of deteriorating hygiene conditions at the facility.
The inspection focused on the state of the slaughterhouse structure, cleanliness standards, waste management systems, and general meat-handling practices. However, the RDC said the conditions she found were alarming.
According to Nanono, the facility is in a dilapidated state, with aging structures, blocked drainage channels, and poor disposal of wastewater and blood, creating a breeding ground for houseflies, pigs, and other animals.
She also expressed concern over heaps of cattle waste scattered around the premises and unhygienic meat-handling practices within the slaughterhouse.
A visibly disappointed Nanono faulted the butchers for neglecting sanitation despite operating in a facility where public health should be a top priority.
“You behave as if you do not have hands. Stop making us think you are disabled. Cleaning your workplace is your responsibility, and you should not wait for leaders to come and force you. How can people work in such a filthy environment and still sell meat to the public?” Nanono said.
She immediately ordered the butchers to suspend their activities and clean up the facility, a directive they complied with.
Following the clean-up exercise, the butchers thanked the RDC, admitting that the slaughterhouse had become excessively dirty.
“The place was indeed very dirty. We want to thank RDC Sarah Nanono. Although she initially criticized us, what she has done is beneficial to us,” the butchers said.
The butchers, however, raised concerns about the various fees they pay, claiming they do not know how the money collected from them is utilized.
“For every cow slaughtered here, we pay Shs10,000. We also pay monthly taxes. We want to know where this money goes. Why can’t some of it be used to renovate and improve our slaughterhouse?” they asked.
They further revealed that they have repeatedly petitioned Mpigi Town Council for support to renovate and expand the facility but have received no response.
In response, Nanono called upon the Town Council and the contractor managing the facility to work together to address the concerns raised by the butchers.
“The contractor should work closely with the Town Council that awarded the tender and ensure the necessary improvements are made because the slaughterhouse is in a poor state. This situation is pushing me towards closing it,” she said.
The RDC warned that she will continue inspecting slaughterhouses across Mpigi District and vowed to shut down any facility found operating under unhygienic conditions.
