By Micheal Atwakiire
Sheema: Rtd. Sergeant Katehangwa Eli, a senior guinea pigs farmer in Kyeibanga, Kitagata in Sheema District, wants government to support him by expanding his business.
Katehangwa, who started rearing guinea pigs at his home last year, said that he wouldn’t be seeking help from government; that instead the government should be pleading with him to support his business, because it is a unique venture.
“My business is unique. If you go around Sheema district, you may not get another person with this business. Therefore government should instead plead with me to support this business such that it grows bigger.” Katehangwa.
He added “If I can attract tourists at this stage, what do you think would be if I got enough funds to expand it. I see my business is more attractive than those Rolex things I usually see government launching in urban areas.”
Katehangwa added that the guinea pigs can be used to curb the problem of insufficient blood in hospitals, plus being used as specimen in laboratories.
“Recently I was in Kyenjojo at a workshop, where we were told that in case woman has just delivered and lacks blood, you just mix the guinea pig blood with a soda (Mirinda Fruity) and then she drinks it. Within hours she gains blood enough blood to sustain her life. Therefore the government should put much emphasis on guinea pig rearing such that we can solve this issue.”
He also said that market for guinea pigs is ever available and that he usually get business from secondary schools, institutions and universities which buy them for laboratory use. He said each guinea pig costs Shs10,000.
“Every week I get new customers from different areas. I serve three schools in Kampala and many secondary schools in western Uganda whereby some institutions come here and take practical lectures from here. Apart from money, the manure I get from these guinea pigs is of goof quality and in large quantities. By the way I advise the public that instead of keeping cattle, you can rear guinea pigs because it’s not a tiresome business.” Katehangwa noted.
