Masaka, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | After a prolonged anticipation, the residents of Masaka are thrilled and eager to indulge in their traditional treat—grasshoppers, locally known as nsenene—which had been elusive in the area for nearly a month.
Typically, nsenene make their appearance from late October through November and early December. However, this year, their arrival was delayed. Entomologists attributed this delay to shifting weather patterns and the reckless depletion of their breeding grounds, such as wetlands and forests in the region.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, November 25, the mood among grasshopper trappers in Masaka changed dramatically as they witnessed swarms of these seasonal insects hovering above their well-lit traps scattered throughout Masaka City and its surroundings.
When Monitor visited Nyendo, a traditional hub for grasshoppers, on Saturday at noon, the area was bustling with activity. A cup of grasshoppers was fetching prices between Shs4,000 and Shs5,000, depending on the dealer.
Mr. John Ssebunya, a grasshopper trapper in Bwala, Masaka City, shared his excitement, revealing that he managed to trap 25 sacks of grasshoppers on Friday night, earning Shs200,000 for each sack. He expressed hope that the sales would help cover accumulated electricity bills and other operational costs.
“We could not believe that the grasshoppers had finally arrived after waiting for them for so long. Many of our colleagues had already lost hope amid high operational costs,” remarked Mr. Ssebunya on Saturday.
Hajji Quraish Katongole, the chairperson of Old Masaka Basenene Limited—an association uniting grasshopper trappers in the area—expressed optimism, saying, “As believers, we patiently waited for the edible insects because we knew Allah would give us what we want, and they are finally here. We are hopeful that Masaka trappers will also have a substantial catch, given that the country is currently experiencing heavy rains.”
Nevertheless, he urged officials of UMEME, the national power distributor, to show patience with their members. He argued that now that they have resumed work, they will settle outstanding electricity bills instead of having their materials confiscated.
“I am going to meet UMEME officials after receiving numerous reports from several parts of the region about UMEME’s decision to impound grasshopper dealers’ materials like iron sheets and drums over unpaid bills. This is unfair because the people have not been working, and it would be hard for them to pay during the previous weeks, but since they have started working, they are going to pay,” he added.
Ms. Jane Namukasa, a grasshopper vendor at Ssese Corner along Elgin Street in Masaka City, stated that they are currently selling a cup of grasshoppers for prices ranging between Shs5,000 and Shs6,000.
Additional Sources: Daily Monitor
