Socio-economic factors influencing cattle traders' market participation and income generation in selected livestock markets of Teso sub-region, eastern Uganda.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
Livestock is a major source of income, food security and social welfare in Teso subregion and other agro-pastoral and pastoral regions. It contributes about 11% of Uganda's agricultural GDP and 4.3% of the total GDP, the Uganda cattle population was estimated to be 14.5 million in 2021. Cattle traders play a central role in cattle marketing but limited evidence is available on the influence of their socio-economic characteristics on market participation and income which the study aimed to address. A cross sectional survey was used and structured questionnaires were administered to 408 cattle traders in the markets of Arapai, Bukedea, Ocaapa and Ocorimongin. Descriptive results showed male dominated trade 86.3%, mean age 43.78 years, 85.2% married, 49.4% primary education, 78.0% main occupation as cattle trade, 36.0% had 6 to 10 years experience, 55.5% owned smartphones and trekking was main transport 67.3%. Chi-square showed significant differences in cattle ownership, access to training, credit access distance, trading beyond Teso, age and trading days across the four livestock markets (p<0.05). Binary logistic model was significant χ²(19)=457.493, p<0.001, R²=0.924, trading days (OR=0.489, p<0.001) and cattle traded (OR=0.912, p=0.045) predicted market participation. Ordinal logistic model was significant χ²(22)=185.882, p<0.001, R²=0.577, household size, number of cattle traded, education, association, experience, trading scope, distance and trekking influenced income. In conclusion, participation is driven by trading intensity while income is determined by education, scale of trade, credit access, association membership and market scope. Trading remains male led, with experienced traders but heterogeneous across markets. The study recommends improving access to affordable credit, providing business training, strengthening smartphone market information and improving transport. Further studies should investigate barriers preventing women and youth from fully entering and remaining in livestock marketing and adopt longitudinal design to track seasonal changes in participation and income in Teso.
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Undergraduate research report
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Kagimu, M. (2026). Socio-economic factors influencing cattle traders' market participation and income generation in selected livestock markets of Teso sub-region, eastern Uganda. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.