KAMPALA, Uganda — Residents of Kampala are enjoying a rare festive reprieve as beaf prices remain significantly lower than the dramatic spikes recorded during the 2024 Christmas season, according to traders and market data.
Figures from the Kampala City Abattoir indicate that beef is currently retailing at an average of Shs14,000 per kilogram, reflecting only a modest increase of Shs1,000–Shs2,000 over the past two weeks. This stands in sharp contrast to the Shs17,000 wholesale price recorded at the same time last year.
Traders attribute the relative calm to uninterrupted livestock movement, unlike in 2024 when quarantine restrictions severely constrained supply.
“We have not seen big changes in meat prices this Christmas. The situation is very different from last year,” said Hawa Mukandoli, head of female butchers at the city abattoir and a veteran of over 20 years in the trade.
She noted that the absence of quarantine measures has allowed a steady flow of cattle and goats into the capital, preventing panic-driven price spikes.
Supply, demand and the festive mood
Despite the visible surge of holiday activity, traders say consumer demand has not overwhelmed supply.
“The Christmas mood is there, but it has not strongly reflected in meat prices or sales,” observed Semuju Edrine, a butcher at the facility.
Current price snapshot:
- Beef: Shs14,000/kg (Stable)
- Offals: Prices down
- Liver: Slight increase due to demand
- Goat meat: Supply steady, prices firm
Transport watch and public health advisory
Butchers remain cautious about potential transport bottlenecks from cattle corridors that could affect supply in the final hours before Christmas Day.
Meanwhile, city authorities are urging consumers to purchase meat exclusively from certified and inspected outlets, emphasizing the importance of veterinary clearance during the high-demand festive period.
As Kampala moves into Christmas celebrations, the outlook is optimistic: families will pay slightly more than in November, but far less than during the painful festive inflation of 2024.
