The Ugandan government has made arrangements to procure 10 million vaccine doses to facilitate the expansion of ring vaccination as the battle against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Ugandan cattle progresses into a fresh stage.
The Cabinet, presided over by President Yoweri Museveni on Monday, further suggested that following the completion of ring vaccination, farmers should commence payment for the FMD vaccines under a mandatory vaccination program. Subsequently, the trading of animal products will be limited exclusively to those who comply with this scheme.
Minister Frank Tumwebazwe, responsible for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fishers, announced on Monday the outcomes of the Cabinet’s discussion on measures to combat the disease affecting 36 districts.
“As a result, the Cabinet has reached a consensus to establish a revolving fund. This fund will ensure the availability of an ample supply of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines, enabling the mandatory bi-annual vaccination of vulnerable domestic animals, he said.
Additionally, the government has approved a scheme where farmers will bear the cost of the vaccines, while the government will cover other associated expenses.
“Vaccination is to be made compulsory. Proof of vaccination will be a precondition for any farmer to sell any animal products. I appeal to fellow livestock farmers and stakeholders to understand and appreciate this effort as we steadily move to eradicate FMD in Uganda just like other animal diseases like rinderpest were eradicated,” said Minister Tumwebazwe.
The 36 districts currently affected and under quarantine are Budaka, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bunyangabu, Butaleja, Fort Portal City, Gomba, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kasanda, Kayunga, Kazo, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kiruhura, Kumi, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyotera, Luuka, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Mbarara City, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namisindwa, Ngora, Ntungamo, Rakai, Rwampara and Sembabule.
All districts neighboring the affected districts are at high risk, and under strict surveillance, and the authorities have been advised to remain vigilant.
These include Apac, Amolatar, Bugiri, Bushenyi, Butaleja, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kaberamaido, Kaliro, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Katakwi, Kasese, Kibaale, Kiboga, Kyenjojo, Mbale, Masindi, Mayuge, Mukono, Namalemba, Nakapiripirit,
Palisa, Rukungiri, Sironko, Wakiso and Soroti.
Tumwebaze assured farmers that in the next one or two months, his Ministry expects to receive and dispatch 2.3 million doses of the FMD vaccine to the affected and susceptible districts for ring vaccination scale-up.
He told parliament earlier that as a way of increasing the availability of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines in the country.
Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has started the process of formulating and developing an FMD vaccine for Uganda.
