By Ruhangawebare Godfrey, Mpairwe Denis, Mutetikka David, Bashaasha Bernard and Jorgen Madsen

Although livestock production has been identified in the Development Strategy and Investment Plan as a key sector to improve household incomes and food security, cattle sector has not achieved its full potential despite many efforts through research and development programs. A survey was conducted to investigate the factors affecting pastoral cattle keepers’ participation in cattle markets. Gender of the household head, access to market information, distance to the markets, value of milk sold, alternative sources of income and road condition significantly affected the pastoralists’ participation in the cattle markets. Pastoralists were willing to sell their cattle despite the various marketing constraints they were facing. It was concluded that improving market information access and flow and upgrading of physical infrastructure will potentially improve their participation in livestock commercialization.