Uganda Receives Third Consignment of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccines from Egypt to Combat Outbreak
Uganda has received 2.5 million doses of Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccines from Egypt, marking the third consignment this year to support the country’s livestock vaccination efforts. The vaccines were officially received by Ugandan military representatives, with key Egyptian officials also in attendance.
Uganda has received an additional consignment of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines from Egypt, comprising 2.5 million doses.
This shipment was officially received yesterday by the Special Forces Commander, Maj Gen David Mugisha, representing the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The reception event, attended by Col McDans Kamugira, the Military Assistant to the CDF, also included Egyptian representatives, such as MEVAC Sales Manager Dr. Amgad Nagy from the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture, and the Egyptian Defence Attaché to Uganda, Brig Gen Mohamed Embaby.
This is the third consignment of FMD vaccines from Egypt, following earlier deliveries of 3 million doses each in May and July this year. The initial consignments were received in the presence of Gen Kainerugaba, who also serves as the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, and the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), Hon. Frank Tumwebaze.
The FMD outbreak has necessitated quarantines in 32 districts across Uganda, significantly impacting the cattle corridor. Affected districts include Luwero, Gomba, Isingiro, Kazo, Kiruhura, and Sembabule, among others. To contain the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Agriculture has implemented restrictions on the movement of livestock and livestock products in these areas.
Uganda’s total susceptible livestock population requires 44 million doses of FMD vaccines annually, supporting a bi-annual vaccination programme that costs approximately $176 million per year. The recent shipments from Egypt are anticipated to significantly enhance Uganda’s vaccination initiatives.
The timely delivery of these vaccines follows proactive engagement between the CDF and Egyptian authorities. In October, the CDF met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in Cairo, where both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors. The Egyptian government has also previously provided equipment to support the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) in advancing local vaccine production.
