“Fix Buzirayombo livestock auction facility challenges,” Bashiru orders

GEITA: MINISTER for Livestock and Fisheries, Ambassador Dr Bashiru Ally, has directed officials in his docket to ensure that all identified shortfalls in the implementation, management and operation of the Buzirayombo International Livestock Auction facility in Chato District, Geita Region, are promptly addressed.

Ambassador Dr Bashiru issued the directive after visiting the project, whose construction began in 2020 and was completed in 2022 at a cost of about 4.8bn/-.

Among the major shortcomings he identified were the poor environmental conditions surrounding the auction facility and improper livestock trading practices, including the failure to use weighing scales during livestock auctioning.

The minister also pointed out the shortage of water at the major livestock trading centre, despite water being a basic requirement, describing the situation as a clear weakness in management.

“You are operating an auction facility without water, yet water is available, the tank is in place, and funds for the pump can be obtained from your collections,” Dr Bashiru said.

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“I want the representative of the Permanent Secretary, along with the officer in charge of the Production and Marketing Department, to ensure that the next auction session is held in a conducive environment within two weeks, with essential provisions, including the availability of water,” he added.

“A major project of this nature, costing more than four billion shillings, should not have been put into operation before the water system was completed,” Ambassador Dr Bashiru emphasised.

He expressed surprise that the weighing scales, which were procured at a high cost by the government, are not being used properly, resulting in a situation that deprives both sellers and buyers of fair returns.

“People who come here need water, yet they are working without it,” he intoned.

He further mentioned that during a surprise inspection on December 25, 2025, he observed poor maintenance of the environment, with overgrown grass and several buildings leaking during rainfall.

Dr Bashiru questioned the rationale for commissioning and officially opening the project when several parts were already in a dilapidated condition. He cited the slaughterhouse area as an example, noting that it had turned into a breeding ground for bats.