CENSURE: Slaughtered Bulls Were Infertile, Lame, Blind & Old

By Francis Otucu & Henry Mulindwa

The Minister for Agricultre, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) has formerly spoken out on allegations that he took breeding cows from Lusenke Stock Farm.

“This is to respond to your communication that I should explain to the country the manner in which cows from Lusenke stock farm were taken and eaten during a public function that was organized to publicize Government achievements by leaders of Greater Masaka region,” Vincent Ssempijja introduced his explanation in a letter dated March 12, 2020 to the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga.

This letter was received by Kadaga’s handlers on March 17, 2020.

Ahead of the said function, Ssempijja told Kadaga in the letter, that he wrote to institutions and individuals to support the gathering.  

“In deed on 8^th October 2019, I wrote a letter to the Executive Director, National Animal Genetic Research Centre & Data Bank (NAGRC & DB) as I had done to other Agencies inviting the Organization to participate, exhibit and demonstrate the achievements attained. In the same letter, I requested the Agency to make financial contribution to the Organizing Committee.  I did not request the Agency to give cows,” Ssempijja explained in the 3-page letter.

NAGRC & DB, according to Ssempijja, decided, through their contracts committee, to approve and contribute 15 steers (castrated young bulls).

The agency, Ssempijja said, communicated the contribution in a letter to the Manager, Lusenke Stock Farm and that the animals were delivered to the venue by the Agency itself.

“The impression that these bulls came from South Africa is also not true. This fact has also been clarified by National Animal Genetic Research Centre & Data Bank (NAGRC & DB) Board Chairman,” he said, clarifying firther that, “The 15 steers in question were of small type “East African Zebu Cattle”, commonly known as Enganda or Enkoromoijo cattle.

Ssempijja’s argument is that the donation is not irregular and did not start with the particular function.

“That the donation of steers (animals), and chicken by National Animal Genetic Research Centre & Data Bank (NAGRC & DB) for purposes of supporting public functions is not irregular and did not start with this particular function,” he said, strongly. “I have been informed and I have also confirmed that the donated steers do not affect the multiplication program of National Animal Genetic Research Centre & Data Bank (NAGRC & DB). This is because the donated animals (steers) are animals not designed to keep in the herd for breeding. They may have any or all of the following defects: i) Lameness ii) Chronic diseases iii) Total or partial blindness iv) infertility in both males and females v) Old age vi) Very wild vii0 poor mothering ability.”

These conditions, Ssempijja said, render such animals uneconomical to keep and are therefore culled for slaughter.

Besides, the animals (small east African short zebu) yield small amounts of meat as opposed to the high breeding animals that are maintained for breeding purposes.

‘They were not imported pedigree breeding bulls,” he said.

To this, with his facts, Ssempijja said, he did not request or direct National Animal Genetic Research Centre & Data Bank (NAGRC & DB) to provide or release breeding animals for slaughter but that it was a decision of NAGRC & DB.

“I wish to request for your kind appreciation and understanding of the circumstances under which the 15 steers were offered for the above public function,” Ssempijja noted.

Last week, Ajivu County MP Bernard Atiku said that he is ready to lead a censure motion against Ssempijja, accusing him of abuse of office.

In a notice to the office of clerk to parliament, Atiku said his motion is based on grounds contrary to article 118(1) (a) and (b) of the constitution, the minister used his office to inappropriately take government cattle meant for breeding at a stock farm and slaughtered them.

However, with Ssempijja’s explanation, it remains to be seen how these plays out.